...wants Petroleum marketers to organise orientation for tanker drivers
By Mfonobong Ukpong
The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke, has disclosed that the state legislature is proposing an environmental protection law that would make provision for the proper of our environment.
He dropped the hint, Wednesday while addressing members of the Akwa Ibom state executive of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, when the body paid a courtesy visit on the Speaker at the Assembly complex. Welcoming the leadership of IPMAN to the House, Barr. Luke who assured of the commitment of the legislature in partnering the executive to create a smooth business environment in the state for the private sector to operate, promised to table the issues bothering on multiple taxation as raised by the association before appropriate quarters.
"We must make sure that you have a leveled playing field to operate".
He tasked petroleum marketers in the state to consider as a matter of urgency, the need to organize series of orientation for tanker drivers who transport petroleum products to their filling stations. He said it became necessary in order to curb the incessant cases of avoidable accidents involving trucks carrying products.
The Speaker condemned reckless driving by the tanker drivers, and advised the current leadership of IPMAN to set up public complaint arm that would afford members of the public an opportunity to lodge complaint bordering on any observed sharp practices by marketers, and reckless driving by tanker drivers, among other issues.
Barr. Luke enjoined IPMAN to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional amendment exercise being piloted by the National Assembly. The Speaker who canvassed for the delisting of power generation, transmission and distribution from the exclusive list to the concurrent list, opined that it would be of immense help to IPMAN and other members of the business community , if it submits input backing the inclusion of electricity generation, transmission and distribution in the concurrent list in order to give states the full autonomy to generate, transmit and distribute electricity to consumer.
The Speaker was optimistic that such move will be helpful to the state owned Independent Power plant in Ikot Abasi as well as the proposed depot and modular refinery to be sited in Ikot Abasi by IPMAN.
Earlier, the Chairman of IPMAN in the state, Pastor Ubong Isong told the speaker that members of the exco of the body were in the Assembly to intimate him of the new leadership of the body, and to brief him of the challenges facing the independent petroleum marketers in the state.
He congratulated Barr. Luke on his elevation to the position of Speaker of the House, and commended the legislature for the support it has so far given to Governor Udom Emmanuel, noting that the cordial working relationship existing between the legislature and the executive would further enhance the governor's industrialization policy and his Dakkada philosophy.
The IPMAN complaint of multiple taxation imposed on members by the government, and pleaded for the intervention of the Speaker, saying petroleum marketers were facing tough times under the current tax regime.
He informed the Speaker that governor Udom Emmanuel has provided a land at Ikot Abasi to IPMAN for the sitting of a petroleum depot and a modular refinery in the state.
Lawmakers present during the courtesy call include, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Felicia Bassey, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Emmanuel Bassey Ekpenyong, Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum, Hon. Asuquo Archibong, Sir. Nse Ntuen and Hon. Otobong Jonathan Akpan.
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