By Abasi Ita
Chairman of the National Assembly’s joint committee on gas, upstream and downstream petroleum resources, Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has expressed dismay over the poor budgetary allocation earmarked in the 2024 Budget by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to finance the presidential gas initiative.
Senator Jarigbe who represents Cross River North senatorial district, said the paltry sum of N5b listed in the budget estimate submitted by the petroleum ministry is not only inadequate but also smacks of a lack of preparedness to ensure the successful implementation of President Tinubu’s intention to facilitate the use of compressed natural gas as an alternative source of fuel.
He posited that “there is an urgent need for the federal government to make deliberate efforts to transition from reliance on fossil fuels to dependence on natural gas, through effective and transparent budgetary provisions to enhance the fortunes of the nation’s economy”.
Jarigbe bared his mind when the joint Senate/House of Reps Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Downstream & Gas), hosted a delegation from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources led by Minister of State, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo at the 2024 budget defense session of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources held at the National Assembly Complex.
He reiterated President Tinubu’s resolve to ameliorate the sufferings of the common man by introducing palliatives meant to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
The Senator contended that other measures put in place by the federal government in this direction including proposed training workshops and provision of CNG conversion kits, to advance the natural gas revolution policy of the federal government have become a mirage.
In his words”the joint committee observes with utter dismay, the non-provision of those Projects and Palliatives in the 2024 Appropriations Bill, which has been made available to the Joint Committee”
He said: “The budget of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is neither here nor there. It does not reflect the policy direction of Mr. President on the decade of gas and the use of Compressed Natural Gas, as an alternative source of fuel. A capital budget of N5.8bn for a ministry that is critical to achieving the natural gas revolution policy of the federal government and ameliorating the hardship imposed on the masses smacks of seriousness.
“The Steering Committee on the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas – Initiative has also refused to brief the National Assembly on its activities and programs. Their activities are shrouded in secrecy and the Ministers of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil & Gas) are totally in the dark, as to the activities of the P-CNGI.
“In trying to get self-help, the P-CNGI has embarked on a Fund-Raiser, which comes up tomorrow, to extort funds from so-called stakeholders. As a parliament, we do not align ourselves with running government programs in disregard of the provisions of the law.
“We cannot achieve what Mr. President wants, without providing for the CNG-Project and very important projects in the Appropriations Act. Doing so will only open a window for fraud, which will impact negatively on the citizenry. Let it be on record that the Steering Committee of the P-CNGI cannot account for the Funds already provided from the 500bn Naira approved for Palliatives for CNG advancement in the Country.”
Senator Jarigbe applauded the President for his lofty initiative of transiting from the use of Fossil Fuel to the use of Natural Gas, noting that: “We appeal that a proper framework be deployed, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with a transparent Budgeting System.
“Besides, we state that the NNPCL is wholly owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, so, the National Assembly is empowered, under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Over-Sight NNPCL and its subsidiaries.”
Senator Jarigbe urged all stakeholders to engage in open dialogue and provide insightful inputs that will contribute to the formulation of a budget that aligns with our national priorities,
Jarigbe sued for “robust synergy between stakeholders to address challenges, explore opportunities as well as uphold the interests of the citizens we serve e”
He expressed delight over the dedication and hard work of stakeholders involved in advancing the petroleum industry and urged all to sustain the momentum to guarantee the attainment of set targets.
In his presentation, the Ministers of State for Petroleum (has) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo disclosed that the ministry received a budgetary allocation of N9.64bn for 2024 which includes personnel, overhead costs