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PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH - Business - Nairaland

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PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Midas02(m): 5:32pm On Nov 18, 2011
PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: THE FACTS, THE MYTHS AND THE HIDDEN TRUTH!

Written by Olumide Iluyomade




BACKGROUND HISTORY:

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a nation whose name is synonymous with oil riches! Shortly after independence in 1960, the young democratic nation was soon confronted with divisive and unsavoury political wrangling which led to an unsolicited military intervention and political assassinations! A violent vortex of political unrest, sectional violence and further military agitation and politicization was to follow, which ultimately culminated in a civil war in 1967!

In the early formative years, Nigeria was not known for oil production, much rather the nation had a vibrant and fecund agrarian economy. Commercially viable crude oil deposit was first discovered by Shell-British Petroleum Company at Oloibiri (now in Bayelsa State) shortly before independence in 1956. Initially, a 50-50 sharing arrangement between the company and the colonial government of Nigeria was implemented. By the early 1960’s Mobil, Texaco and Gulf Oil had purchased concessions and Shell-British petroleum was no longer the exclusive oil exploration company.

By 1970, in the aftermath of the civil war, the nation as a whole was in the process of recovering from the devastating effect of war and the blossoming Nigerian oil industry had not been spared the negative impact either! Oil production had dropped to a mere 33% of its production peak of 420,000Bpd in 1966. The incumbent military leadership was in dire need of revenue and new sources of income to pay outstanding debts and forge a viable nation state. It was under this circumstance that Nigeria was to discover her true potentials as an oil producing nation.

A few years later, the tides of the nation would turn dramatically culminating in the oil boom of the 70s, Nigeria experienced her first and most critical economic boom! Billions of dollars generated by the production of crude oil flowed into the national confers. The fossil-fuel rich Niger delta region which had been a primary bone of contention in the acrimonious negotiation leading to the civil war was to become the nation’s primary source of revenue! Nigeria had become an important and critical producer of the most valuable energy resource in the world! Thus the nation’s influence and wealth grew exponentially.

Nigeria soon joined OPEC and embraced regional initiatives. Critical national infrastructures were constructed and strategic oil Refineries were built to reduce dependency and to yield greater income! The military government which was in control of the federal government, realizing the great potentials and the wealth trapped underneath the ground, especially with regards to revenue generation, actively and aggressively sought out the best opportunities and means of exerting exclusive control over the valuable resource! The federal government persisted in garnering control over oil revenues by implementing the following laws and policies:

In May 1971, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), then under the leadership of General Yakubu Gowon, consolidated its involvement in the nation’s oil industry through the creation of Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC).
1972: FGN declared that all properties not currently owned by a foreign corporation or entity, legally and automatically became properties of the federal government, thus effectively nationalizing regional assets and gaining jurisdiction and control over the sale and allocation of concession to foreign investments.
1974: FGN decreed a mandatory participation in all oil industry projects that accrued 55% equity share to the federal government.
1975: FGN enacted Decree #6 which increased the federal share of the revenue from oil to 80%, with only 20% going to the states!
1976: First notable exploration and development venture undertaken by NNOC to uncover commercially viable deposits of petroleum off-shore
1978: FGN promulgated the Land Use Act which vested control over all land in the office and jurisdiction of each respective State governor.
1979: Declaration of 1979 federal constitution of Nigeria. Section 40(3) of the constitution declared all natural resources – fossil oil, minerals and natural gas; found within the sovereign boundaries of Nigeria as the exclusive and legal property of the federal government of Nigeria.
1979: In an effort to further increase its control over the oil industry, the FGN merged and restructured the functions and responsibilities of NNOC with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum’s area of oversight, thus creating the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Through its proxy in NNPC, the federal government’s involvement and equity share in all petroleum ventures was henceforth established by law to be 60%.

As oil production revenue rose, federal government subvention to states and parastatals increased significantly, getting to the point where the states and agencies felt no pressure to generate their own income or even maintain a semblance of self-sustenance! With the concentration of funds and resources in the hands of the central government, hardly any efforts were made by the state governments to engage any economic activity to help maintain and accomplish self-reliance! It was to be the beginning of an unfortunate saga!

It was also during the oil boom of the 1970s that the political economy of petroleum in Nigeria became characterised by endemic patronage and corruption by the political elites. It was to be the beginning of a federal government policy drive that entailed brazen insensitivity to the needs of the nation as a whole, especially with regards to the economic inclusion and environmental concerns of the communities wherein the resources were extracted! This period would also highlight the completion of a federal objective to takeover all oil revenue and centralize income!

Having never reconciled the differences, bitterness and grievances of the various ethnic factions that constituted the nation after the civil war, allegations of sectional favouritism in the allocation of funds and resources were soon common place and rife. A general mien of discontent persisted within the political elites! Nigeria’s income centralization when coupled with her colourful diversity and a bludgeoning population was a recipe for disaster! The temporal demise of the military from politics in 1979 would ensure and bring about another morbid struggle for political dominance and control! The federal government and federal offices became the epicentre of acute political wrangling, power struggle and economic subjugation!

In ignoring the nature of her federal constitution and depending exclusively on the sale of crude oil for income generation, Nigeria’s military leadership and the subsequent national governments had unwittingly created a dangerous situation which spelt doom for the previous ideal of autonomous regional governance and self-reliance! The mandate of federalism with which the nation had been bequeathed, had now been clearly subverted!

Beyond that, the dangers and disadvantages of having a monolithic and singular source of income had been made evident by the erratic swinging pendulum of commodity prices!  It had now become obvious that a stable and consistent economic growth could only be attained through the development of a broad and versatile economic base! In other to achieve this, the current oil revenue would have to be purposed tacitly to more focused, astute and strategic objectives! It goes without saying that this noble objective was never accomplished!

Today, Nigeria is home to 160 million citizens making it the most populous nation in Africa! Nigeria is also the 7th most populous nation in the world along with being the most populous black nation in the world!! In spite of having fabulous economic potentials, ebbing human resources and a territory riveted with natural resources, Nigeria has not fared so well, economically! Over the years, the socio-economic prospects of her citizens have dwindled, even as the earnings and income generated from oil continued to sky-rocket!

Nigeria is the Cinderella nation that never quite made it to the king’s dinner, having been betrayed, ambushed, violated and despoiled by her own keepers and guards! The moribund nation has had the great misfortune of being saddled with 32 straight years of utterly corrupt, depraved and inept leadership!  The consequence of which is the total annihilation of any form of advancement or development hitherto achieved! The social retrogression and the prevalent social decadence currently experienced is a lasting testament to this undeniable truth! Virtually every aspect of the nation’s socio-economic well being and national virtue has been completely eroded and thoroughly devastated!

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW:

To fully understand the magnitude and scope of problems and dysfunction experienced in the Nigerian oil industry today, it is imperative that a detailed and comprehensive overview of the industry be carried out. In so doing, a lot more light will be shed on several confusing and unknown facts. Also, the opportunity to review, identify and expose areas of inadequacies and recurring shortfalls will be thus assured!

REFINERIES:
Today in Nigeria, the federal government owns all the refineries in the nation and they were all constructed or installed between 1965 and 1989. The refineries are as follows:  
Port Harcourt Refinery 1 – (PHRC I) This is the smallest and oldest of the refineries. A former Shell-British Petroleum complex and investment which was nationalised under General Obasanjo’s administration. Built in 1965 as a simple topping and distillation refinery with a capacity of 60,000Bpd! With no overhaul or upgrade since then, it is essentially obsolete and decommissioned! NNPC website suggests that refinery’s facility is probably used for oil storage with some pump station components.

Port Harcourt Refinery 2 – (PHRC II) The new Port Harcourt refinery which also happens to be the youngest and biggest of the nation’s refineries was conceived as an export refinery with a capacity of 150,000Bpd. It was completed in 1989 by General Babangida’s administration. The Eleme Petrochemical plant was built adjacent to the refinery in 1995. It was designed to produce Olefin, Polypropylene and Polyethylene. Today, due to a history of poor management and maintenance, the current output in the refinery is a low fraction of its installed capacity. Even at that, it is perhaps still the most functional of the nation’s refineries. Like the refinery, the petrochemical facility has been plagued by unresolved technical and maintenance issues and has never been able to function at more than 40% of its installed capacity. It now lays dormant!

Warri Refinery – (WRPC) This refinery was built in 1978 when (the then) Brigadier Buhari headed the Petroleum Ministry. With an installed capacity of 125,000Bpd, the complex had an additional petrochemical processing capability added to it in 1986 for downstream petroleum products such as Polypropylene and Carbon Black. However, with an unresolved history of corrosion even in its younger days and frequent shut-down due to neglect, lack of maintenance and pipeline sabotage, the facility often manages to output at no more than 30% of its installed capacity but that is on an infrequent and haphazard basis! WRPC also has an integrated design capability that generates 125MW of electricity if running at capacity. Hence the energy needs of the refinery could be met while the excess energy produced (upwards of 70%) could supply the nation’s power grid. In more recent years, however, most operations have ceased and the facility has typically become unproductive and comatose!

Kaduna Refinery – (KRPC) Built and championed by General Buhari as head of NNPC in 1979, under the administration of General Obasanjo, this politically motivated project is perhaps one of the most convoluted, ill-conceived projects ever built by the federal government of Nigeria! Located over 600km from its feedstock supply in Escravos, Delta State and designed to process both Nigerian Bonny light and imported crude oil (Arab Light), Kaduna refinery has never performed at full capacity! With an installed capacity of 110,000Bpd, the refinery was also designed to feed a base-Oil manufacturing plant, an asphalt plant and a LAB plant. However, having never had an assurance of unimpeded flow of feedstock except in the first 10 years of its installation, KPRC has been plagued by all kinds of problems including a frequent sabotage of the supply pipelines, technical breakdowns, pilferage, poor management and maintenance which has resulted in a major fire outbreak on at least two occasions – 1997 and 2002! In its best operating years, between 1999 and 2002, KRPC’s output was estimated to have been around 30%-40% of capacity. In 2003, due to political unrest, communal discontent and rebel actions, the pipeline from Escravos was sabotaged and blown apart! The refinery is currently said to be barely operational and is capable of being operated at less than 10% capacity, however this can only be done sporadically - if and when there is crude feedstock supply!

In the last 20 years, Nigerian citizens have had to deal variously with a myriad of unmitigated issues! Chief among such problems is the perennial fuel supply problems which range from scarcity of fuel to outright non-availability of some products! With a total installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), the nation’s four refineries despite their capacity, have been consistently and variously mismanaged, pilfered, sabotaged, politicized, neglected and denied much needed maintenance! It is no wonder that they have been unable to perform to expectation and deliver the domestic needs of the nation!

OIL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION:
By law, all petroleum exploration and production carried out by foreign Multi-National Corporations in Nigeria are performed as a Joint Venture (JV) with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is a proxy of the federal government of Nigeria. NNPC has the sole responsibility for upstream and downstream developments and is also charged with the responsibilities of regulating and supervising the oil industry on behalf of the federal government.

In 1988, NNPC was commercialised and its operational departments were split into eleven (11) subsidiaries. The ensuing business model covered the entire spectrum of the oil and gas industry. The subsidiaries are as follows:

1) Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC): A wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC with responsibility for Petroleum Exploration and Production activities.
2) National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS): A subsidiary mandated to enhance the benefits accruing to the federation from its investments in the upstream petroleum industry through effective cost control and supervision of JV and PSC operations.
3) Nigerian Gas Company (NGC): Wholly owned subsidiary charged with the responsibility of developing a domestic gas industry to fully serve Nigeria’s energy needs. It is also responsible for laying an integrated natural gas pipeline and network for both domestic and regional export market.
4) Products and Pipelines Marketing Company (PPMC): This subsidiary is essentially mandated to ensure the security of supply of petroleum products to the domestic market. It does this by transporting crude oil to the refineries and moving petroleum products to the domestic market through various different means.
5) Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG): This is a joint venture between NNPC (49%), Shell Gas B.V (26%), Total LNG Nigeria ltd (15%) and Eni International (10%). NLNG operates six liquefaction units (LNG trains) producing 22 million metric tons of LNG per year. NLNG operates a liquefied natural gas plant on Bonny Island.
6) Integrated Data Service Limited (IDSL): IDSL was set up to offer services in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. These services include; Seismic Data Acquisition, Seismic Data Processing, Reservoir Engineering Services and Data Storage & Management Services.
7) National Engineering and Technical Company Limited (NETCO): This wholly owned subsidiary provides both basic and detailed engineering in the oil and gas industry. Company handles procurement, construction supervision, project management, quality assurance, quality control, environmental services and training.
8 ) Hydrocarbons Services Nigeria (HYSON): An NNPC/VITOL joint venture which was envision to be an international petroleum trading company with particular emphasis on the West African and the Central African sub-regions.
9) Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Co. Limited (WRPC): More detailed description given earlier.
10) Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Co. Limited (KRPC): More detailed description given earlier.
11) Port-Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC): More detailed description given earlier.

The Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) is the basic and standard agreement between NNPC and the numerous operators (IOCs). The agreement sets the guidelines and modalities for running the operation according to the law and constitution of Nigeria. As such, Oil corporations operating in Nigeria generally appropriate only 40% of the revenue or crude volume, while the federal government through its proxy in NNPC accrues about 60% of the revenue or crude oil. Six Joint Ventures involving International Oil Companies (IOCs) are currently operated and they are as follows:

1) Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC): The biggest Joint Venture in Nigeria producing 899,000Bpd as of 1997. JOA provides for a rather complex appropriation – NNPC (55%), Shell (30%), Elf (10%) and Agip (5%)
2) Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL): Largely operating around the shores of Warri at an estimated production rate of 400,000Bpd. The JOA provides for NNPC (60%) and Chevron (40%)
3) Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU): With an estimated production rate of 632,000Bpd (1997), MPNU is the second largest joint venture. The JOA is NNPC (60%) and Mobil (40%).
4) Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC): A joint venture owned by NNPC (60%) and operated by Agip (20%) and Conoco-Philips (20%). 1997 output was 150,000Bpd!
5) Elf Petroleum Nigerian Limited (EPNL): An off-shore and on-shore joint venture between NNPC (60%) and Elf (40%). Output was 125,000Bpd in 1997.
6) Texaco Overseas Petroleum Company of Nigeria Unlimited (TOPCON): A joint venture operated by Texaco (20%) and Chevron (20%) and owned by NNPC (60%). Production output is 60,000Bpd from five off-shore fields.

DATA & PERFORMANCE:
According to the Oil and Gas Journal, Nigeria has an estimated 37.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves as of January 2011. In 2010, total oil production in Nigeria was slightly over 2.46 million Bpd making Nigeria the largest oil producer in Africa. The instability in the Niger delta has caused significant amounts of shut-in production. The US EIA estimates that Nigeria’s total production capacity may be close to 2.9 million Bpd however, due to incessant disruptions and instability often occasioned by attacks on oil infrastructure, daily crude oil production could sometimes hover as low as 1.7 – 2.1 million Bpd.

In 2010, Nigeria exported approximately 2.2 million Bpd of total oil output and 1.8 million Bpd of crude oil. Over 40% of Nigeria’s oil output is exported to the US, thus making Nigeria the fourth largest foreign oil supplier to the United States. Nigeria’s light, sweet crude is a preferred feedstock and is thus priced higher in the commodity market because of its low sulphur content. A barrel of Saudi Heavy crude (2.8% sulphur, 27API gravity) is intrinsically worth less than a barrel of Nigerian Bonny Light (0.14% sulphur, 34 API gravity), because the former will yield less high-value gasoline, diesel and jet fuel than the Nigerian variant. Consequently, any disruptions to Nigeria’s oil production impacts trading patterns and refinery operations in N. America, often affecting world oil market prices!

Considerable attention has been drawn to the environmental damage caused by oil spills in the Niger Delta. According to the Nigerian National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), approximately 2400 oil spills were recorded between 2006 and 2010, most of which resulted from sabotage, bunkering and poor infrastructure. The annual volume of oil spilled in Nigeria has been estimated be about 260,000 barrels per year for the past 50 years!

It is also no secret that Nigeria has an even more abundant supply of natural gas than oil! According to the ‘BP Statistical Review of World Energy’, Nigeria has an estimated and proven natural gas reserve of 187 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), which makes the nation the ninth largest natural gas reserve holder in the world and the largest in Africa! In 2009, Nigeria produced about 820 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of marketed natural gas and consumed another 255 billion cubic feet (Bcf), mostly for the generation of electricity. Nevertheless, according to National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Nigeria flared 536 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in the same period!

Because many of Nigeria’s oil fields lack the infrastructure to channel and market associated natural gas, it is often flared away – an action with grievous environmental consequences! In 2011, an NNPC report claims that flaring costs Nigeria roughly $2.5 billion per annum in lost revenue! The government of Nigeria has maintained a policy that is targeted at ending natural gas flaring, however progress is limited, largely due to uncommitted and unserious implementation of policy and an unfocused and feeble regulatory culture.

POWER & ENERGY CORRELATION:
With regards to energy, available data from US Energy Agency (IEA), shows Nigeria has an electrification rate of 50% for the entire country. Approximately 76 million people do not have access to electricity in Nigeria! The current and the most critical challenge and pending issue is the need for the Nigerian government to produce enough electricity to meet its economic needs and the pent up local demand! Nigeria has vast resources in the form of petroleum, natural gas, coal and renewable energy that could be used for domestic generation of electricity. However, the country is lacking a proper Power and Energy policy to harness the resources and develop the electricity infrastructure.

The Nigerian government recognizing the need to address its power inadequacies, developed and introduced a ‘Gas Master Plan’ that promotes the installation of new gas-fired power plants to help reduce gas flaring and provide much needed electricity generation. However, the implementation of this Gas Master Plan has been fraught with graft and corrupt practices! Also, the plan has not been integrated, merged and reconciled with a viable National Power and Energy policy. As is usual, Nigerian government keeps coming up with various frenzied plans that merely address the symptom and not the root cause! This includes a recent announcement to create up to 40,000MW of electricity by the year 2020 (compared to the current 5900MW installed capacity), however the underlying issue and the primary need for a comprehensive and viable Power and Energy policy remains unresolved and keeps getting ignored and sidetracked!


SUBSIDY AND THE STATUS QUO:

Nigerian citizens have always insisted on and clamoured for the right to enjoy certain basic benefits from the nation’s oil wealth - a privilege which the government which had often failed to act in the best interest of the people, sees as burdensome! The revolving and perennial problems of corruption and putrid leadership when added to the latent and insidious problems created by the actions or the inactions of such corrupt governments over the years had left citizens with much despondency and considerable disenfranchisement in the face of extreme social deprivation!

Therefore the people, who have never known or had the benefit of a good social infrastructure or a social safety net to rely on, as is done in other countries, have maintained a subconscious resolve to make the benefit of cheap oil a worthy cause! It has hence become a natural imperative for the embattled citizens to fight and resist any and every attempt to deny or rob them of the only benefit which they could perceive and enjoy as Nigerian citizens. To truly understand the anger, frustration and absolute mistrust that the citizens have for their government in this regard, a revision of the history of oil prices in the last 30 years is in order.

In 1986, the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida declared that due to the devaluation of the Naira, the domestic price of fuel had become unreasonably cheap and was therefore burdensome to the federal government’s purse! The price of petroleum products was thus raised from 23 kobo per litre through a negotiation process, eventually settling at 70 kobo per litre! Chief Ernest Shonekan, the brief successor to the Babangida regime, cried out in dismay at the fiscal state of affairs upon taking over. The price of fuel was identified as one of the primary budgetary burdens based on the fact that the currency had further been acutely devalued. In 1993, the price of gasoline (petrol) was therefore increased to N5/litre!

Shortly after General Abacha grabbed power from the tethering administration of Ernest Shonekan, he would reduce the price of petroleum products slightly to gain public support. With gasoline (petrol) now priced at N3.25/litre, fuel price adjustment had become a tool in the hands of the government for manipulating the support and mood of the people! Just over a year later in 1994, the government announced a sharp increase in the price of petroleum products. PMS (petrol) would now cost a fearsome N11 per litre! Upon the death of Abacha and the ascension of General Abdulsalami, the price was once again reviewed and increased to N25/litre! An outcry by the public and resistance from the labour congress forced the administration to reduce the price to a ‘paltry’ N20/litre in January of1999.

As democracy was ushered in, the newly ‘rebranded’ President – General (rtd) Olusegun Obasanjo, soon found enough reason to want to ‘remove the subsidy’ on oil product prices! Obasanjo would become the president who increased and inflated the price of petroleum products three times within a period of 8 years! Alongside some other economic indices, this action would bring about a hyper-inflationary trend that remains unresolved even today! Phrases such as ‘subsidy removal’; ‘eliminate waste’; ‘to free government funds’ and ‘encourage foreign and local investment in upstream sector’ were thrown around with reckless abandon! Does that sound familiar??

In the space of 8 years, the price of petrol went from N20/L to N30/L in 1999 but was reduced to N22/L because of public resistance in 2000. In 2002 prices went to N26/L, however, in 2003 it was increased to N40/L but reviewed back to N34/L because of another stiff resistance from the public. In 2006 however, the price was revised up to N40/L again and finally as a parting gift in 2007, the reprobate president would foist a criminal and sudden increase to N75/litre on the citizens! For his part, the feeble and morbid President Yar’dua who succeeded Obasanjo, showed some compassion and reduced the official price of petrol to N65/litre!

After a mere 18 months in Aso Rock, the incumbent president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan declared that the Federal Government of Nigeria could no longer afford to keep paying for the subsidy of oil products (by this stage diesel had already been surreptitiously deregulated!). It was disclosed that the FGN was expending an inordinate amount of money, a sum that totalled a whopping N1.3 trillion for the fiscal year of 2010! The president further alleged that the status quo and current arrangement was a painful and debilitating burden on the federal budget and thus is unsustainable! He further iterated that the FGN had made a decision to do away with all subsidies and deregulate the domestic petroleum product market –hence opening fuel supply and prices up to capitalistic endeavours and free market forces! Deja vu!!

In 2010, Nigerian domestic market consumed approximately 280,000Bpd according to official NNPC figures. Under the current dispensation, upwards of 92% of Nigeria’s domestic demand for finished petroleum products  is imported by ‘independent marketers’ through the implementation of contract and license based arrangements with NNPC. The hand-picked importers (cabal??) are allocated a proportion of the domestic demand which is expressed in weight/volume, upon which the allotted quantity of petroleum product is imported to the nation. The difference in the cost accrued for importation in comparison to the official domestic price of N65/litre (PMS), along with an agreed profit margin for the marketer, is thus calculated and paid out  - called a reimbursement, , these essentially is what is being referred to today as a ‘Subsidy’!

This ‘Fuel Subsidy’ cost has increased dramatically over the years, especially as world crude oil price has risen! Other factors that may have contributed significantly to the rising cost are the devaluation of the Naira and the increasing cost of transportation. However, the primary component of the cost that has caused the greatest uproar is the inordinate ‘Depot’ (dock and jetty) charges which is best described as very high and unnecessary ‘demurrage charges’ at the port!

According to information derived from the website of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) - the agency charged with the control and regulation of domestic fuel consumption, Petroleum Product Pricing templates are being used – a formatted and standardized formula for calculating the final landed cost of petroleum products. It is indicated that as of July 2011 the landed cost of PMS (petrol) was calculated to be N142.40/litre! This suggests that N77.40 will have to be ‘subsidized’ by the FGN in other to sell that fuel for N65/litres! A closer study of the underlying component of the cost reveals that ‘Depot’ related costs are separately charged to federal government account, which amounts to almost N50/litre –this ‘fuzzy’ charge is said to be the cost of port demurrage alone without adding the landed cost of the imported fuel! In essence, the actual and total cost of a litre of PMS fuel (Petrol) to the FGN was a whopping N191.91/litre!!!

In 2006, Nigeria spent N261.1 billion (US$2.03 billion) on ‘fuel subsidy’. In 2007, this figure rose to N278.9 billion (US$2.3 billion). By 2008, the amount expended nearly tripled to N633.2 billion (US$5.37 billion)!! The drastic increase in cost was partly attributed to a depreciation of currency and the very high global prices of oil products. However, there was also the incessant issue of massive graft and fraud which was opportune by the unfortunate and sordid chain of events that led up to the death of the former president! Once this precedence had been set in 2008, the stage was primed for inordinate fraud and for annual increases in the cost to the FGN that would eventually culminate in the whopping cost estimate for the fiscal year 2011!

It comes as no surprise however, to note that despite the exponential increase in the cost of importing and ‘subsidizing’ fuel for domestic consumption, there has only been a marginal increase in the total volume of domestic fuel consumption over the last few years! (2006 -2010). In 2006, the official figure for domestic consumption acquired from PPMC indicated a consumption rate of 237,000Bpd. For 2010, PPMC data reflects domestic consumption rate of 280,000Bpd for the year. Most of PPMC data is however based on the figures for Domestic Supply Obligation (DSO), however, it is a well known fact that the actual figures for the import of petroleum products may not necessarily equate to this figure!

An unspoken and often overlooked but critical factor to consider is that NNPC is mandated to set apart a certain amount of crude oil to fulfil the allocation for Domestic Supply Obligation (DSO). This particular allocation of crude oil is supposed to be supplied to the local refinery companies at a hugely discounted and commiserate local price! In the past years such discounted prices have been as low as US$18 per barrel however, it is nearly impossible to verify the current discounted price! The entire premise surrounding this DSO debacle is deliberately hushed and remains a well kept secret!

In the original bureaucratic process, the standard arrangement was for NNPC to allocate the approved DSO to the local refinery companies through its subsidiary - Products and Pipelines Marketing Company (PPMC), for refining and then re-distributed for domestic consumption! However, since all the refineries have been rendered impotent and are incapacitated - being unable to meet domestic obligations, the allotted crude supply (DSO) is re-diverted by NNPC through a shady and dark process that is not remotely transparent! This arrangement involves the issuance of ‘oil lifting rights’ to private marketers, lobbyists and powerful brokers (Oil Cartel??), who act on behalf of NNPC and sell the crude supply at astronomical profits in the international export market!! In this way, much of the nation’s wealth is siphoned into private confers through illicit back-deals and corrupt practices! For the year 2010, the DSO crude supply amounted to 280,000Bpd which the FGN had heavily discounted, however the profit accrued from the sale remains unaccounted for and goes into private pockets without any return to the people!

According to data available from Transparency for Nigeria, a NGO and watchdog, Nigerian domestic consumption and demand for the key petroleum products in Nigeria is as follows:
PMS: Premium Motor Spirit (popularly known as Petrol) – 30 to 34 million litres per day
AGO: Automotive Gas Oil (popularly known as Diesel) – 12 million litres per day
DPK: Dual Purpose Kerosene (popularly known as kerosene) – 8 million litres per day
ATK: Aviation Turbine Kerosene (Known as Aviation fuel) – 2 million litres per day
LPG: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (known as cooking gas or propane) – 192,000kg per day (15,360 cylinders of 12.5kg each)

SUMMATION & VERDICT:


In conclusion, one must wonder what has been done to mitigate and resolve this cyclical problem of ‘fuel subsidy’ that seems to have been a bone of contention for every administration for the past 26 years! It is also interesting to note that the beginning of this perennial problem was set at the onset of the devaluation of Naira in 1986 when the Babangida administration adopted and implemented the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP). It was apparently not so long after this moment that the nation’s refineries started experiencing operational and maintenance issues!  It goes without saying that the nation’s journey from that moment on, especially with regards to Energy and Power, became a quick downward spiral!

In more recent years however, there was a glimmer of hope – not because of improvement in the leadership profile or improvement in management skill of the government, but rather because of a fortunate and fantastic global phenomenon that inordinately increased and multiplied the nation’s earnings through a steady and consistent stream of high crude oil prices! A Bloomberg report revealed that Nigeria has earned $196 billion in the past 4 years alone (2006 – 2010)! As a matter of fact, it is important to point out that Nigeria’s earnings in the last 10 years has exceeded the total earnings of the nation for a period of 29 years dating from 1970 – 1999!!

The question must therefore be asked of our government and leadership, what has been done with all the money earned recently in the face of the nations numerous problems, chief among them, the perennial issue of domestic fuel supply?? Why are the refineries still in a state of disrepair and neglect even after more than 20 years of epileptic performance and under-performance?? Knowing the strategic importance of the refineries and the importance of reducing governmental deficits and pay-outs, especially with regards to the ‘fuel subsidy issue’, should the government not have made the overhaul and re-alignment of these refineries a national priority??

With the amount of money earned and with a recent high in our foreign reserve that exceeded the $56 billion mark, can it be said that the funds to overhaul, build, expand, restructure and realign the nation’s critical infrastructure to adequately accommodate the domestic needs, was unavailable?? What did the government do with the $23 billion that was recently depleted from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in a short period of less than two years?? Why should the people be asked again to pay more for gasoline when similar and previous promises to prudently expend the funds realized on improved infrastructure have never been fulfilled?? What happened to Babangida’s (DIFFRI) program, Abacha’s (PTF) program and Obasanjo’s (Vision 2020) promises?? Most importantly, what did the Goodluck Jonathan administration do with the funds in the Excess Crude Account (ECA)??  It has been suggested and estimated by several professionals and experts that the US$23 billion that was only recently squandered could have been sufficient to finance and resolve all of Nigeria's immediate infrastructural problems which include Refineries, Power Plants and good Inter-State Highways!

A sincere, cogent and prudent assessment of these questions will reveal the answer, the true nature and intent of Nigerian leaders and government! For us to find a true and lasting solution to the domestic energy needs and the fuel supply problems in Nigeria, we will have to effect and mobilize a critical overhaul of current practises, restructure our institutions and get rid of gaping loopholes and the inherent culture of corruption and graft that is prevalent in the oil industry and the national government as a whole! For true and effectual results to be realized, the government must steadfastly implement a total reform of its rules, policies and practices while maintaining a high degree of common sense measures in delivering and attaining the worthy aspiration of the people for Power and Energy sufficiency, independence and affordability! The details of this noble objective will be fleshed out and examined in the second part of this article.

3 Likes

Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Midas02(m): 8:13pm On Nov 19, 2011
- For those of us who want to have complete insight and an astute understanding of the state of affair in Nigeria's oil industry. Please read and assimilate.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by deotelan(m): 6:55pm On Nov 20, 2011
I see this write up as thought Provoking, highly classified and informative kudos for making it available to the minds that will readily assimilate it, but I thought this topic should be booming but I guesses as much an average Nigerian youth is less concerned about its Governing policies, Practices, History and Blunders that has put us in our shameful but rightful position that we are right now instead u'll see much of them in the Romance and Entertainment Rooms wasting away and fighting their way towards tribalistic disunity, that's why I forsee Nigeria never attaining Positive Uprising changes as we see of recent in the Middle eastern Nations! Nigeria youths we need to make a change and Live by it I rest my case!
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by jamace(m): 7:12pm On Nov 20, 2011
OP: Great insight. Keep them coming.

Our leaders are indeed terrible. They have failed the masses. I just wish the govt does not push the masses any further because I see the masses turning against our leaders; and that will be too bad for the looters.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by son5070: 11:47pm On Nov 20, 2011
deotelan:

I see this write up as thought Provoking, highly classified and informative kudos for making it available to the minds that will readily assimilate it, but I thought this topic should be booming but I guesses as much an average Nigerian youth is less concerned about its Governing policies, Practices, History and Blunders that has put us in our shameful but rightful position that we are right now instead u'll see much of them in the Romance and Entertainment Rooms wasting away and fighting their way towards tribalistic disunity, that's why I forsee Nigeria never attaining Positive Uprising changes as we see of recent in the Middle eastern Nations! Nigeria youths we need to make a change and Live by it I rest my case!

You have said it all !I weep for the youth of this country as they seem to have sold their rights to stand for what is theirs and generations to come.
Their Kids will grow to ask what they did for this country nigeria.
As important as this thread is,how many replies have you seen.They really can't be bothered as long as they can afford little money to show off.

These same corrupt leaders will pay them peanut to silence and use them to mortgage the future of their kids and younger generation.This will never happen in any country in the world as far as i know.

SHAME ON YOU NIGERIA YOUTHS,
BIG SHAME ON YOU THAT YOU CAN'T STAND FOR WHAT IS YOURS.
EVEN OUR FATHERS DID,THEY FOUGHT WARS,SOME SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES SO YOU CAN HAVE A BETTER TOMORROW,INSTEAD YOUR HAVE DECIDED TO PARTY WITH THE EVIL LEADERS AND SELL YOUR CONSCIENCE!

GO SEE THEM WONDERING FROM MINISTRY TO MINISTRY IN ABUJA LOOKING FOR CONTRACTS,EASY MONEY,SHAME ON YOU
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by sheyguy: 10:03am On Nov 21, 2011
Nice piece there, though not without some errors.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by deotelan(m): 10:28am On Nov 21, 2011
sheyguy:

Nice piece there, though not without some errors.
Sheyguy if yhu are really sure of the errors bro why not atleast highlight them let's see and subsequently give us the correct informationz!
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Beaf: 11:01am On Nov 21, 2011
son5070:

You have said it all !I weep for the youth of this country as they seem to have sold their rights to stand for what is theirs and generations to come.
Their Kids will grow to ask what they did for this country nigeria.
As important as this thread is,how many replies have you seen.They really can't be bothered as long as they can afford little money to show off.

These same corrupt leaders will pay them peanut to silence and use them to mortgage the future of their kids and younger generation.This will never happen in any country in the world as far as i know.

SHAME ON YOU NIGERIA YOUTHS,
BIG SHAME ON YOU THAT YOU CAN'T STAND FOR WHAT IS YOURS.
EVEN OUR FATHERS DID,THEY FOUGHT WARS,SOME SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES SO YOU CAN HAVE A BETTER TOMORROW,INSTEAD YOUR HAVE DECIDED TO PARTY WITH THE EVIL LEADERS AND SELL YOUR CONSCIENCE!

GO SEE THEM WONDERING FROM MINISTRY TO MINISTRY IN ABUJA LOOKING FOR CONTRACTS,EASY MONEY,SHAME ON YOU

Please tell them. A lot of people don't even know who the enemy is or how the country functions, all they want to do is watch big brother africa and talk crap about manchester united and chelsea.

The article is thought provoking, but very want in its discussion of how the country is scammed off about N2.4billion daily in the name of the oil subsidy. I expect the OP to make those corrections. Just last week, a tanker was arrested for basically going in circles between Port Harcourt and Lagos and redeclaring the same fuel; the cabal is deep and everywhere, they are also highly monied and powerful.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Nobody: 11:41am On Nov 21, 2011
I have no doubt that Mr. President mean well for the country. It is just that "removal of subsidy" relates direcly to "increase" in the price of petroluem products. This is the picture the masses see.
Yet, I am hoping that the Mr. President will muster the will to do what is right.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by jamace(m): 7:50pm On Nov 21, 2011
Abeg, moderator, please put this on front page. We need to know the truth. This write-up will enlighten us. Please o. (It is hidden in this area.) In fact, put it in the politics section, so that many people can see and contribute. I take God beg you o.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Nobody: 10:24pm On Nov 21, 2011
The OP's original article is full of misconceptions. The are a lot of fundamental questions that the article's author failed to ask and answer. The questions and attendant answrs will point to why fuel scarcity/shortages, adulteration, subsidy consistently plague Nigeria while our surrounding West African neighbors do not have the same issues namely:

1) Why is it that only government owned refineries exist in Nigeria? Why have the IOCs/private investors refused to invest in refineries if there is indeed no 'subsidy' and it made business / economic sense to invest in refineries in Nigeria?

2) If a brand new refinery in built today in Nigeria, at what price would crude be sold to them by the IOCs/JV partners? at what price would they be allowed to sell their refined products i.e crude costs + refining costs+ crude and refined fuel transport costs + VAT/excise charges + bank charges + profit?

3) Would be IOCs agree to sell crude to local refineries at below international market prices considering that they are are tied to long term crude supply contracts to foreign refineries at global spot prices? If they are forced to, would the FG reimburse them of that loss considering that the IOCs are not charities like NNPC?

4) What makes the author think locally refined fuel would be cheaper than foreign ones? Is he vouching that local refineries can run more efficiently than foreign ones? Has he considered the cost of doing business in Nigeria? How many commodities produced in Nigeria are cheaper than foreign sourced identical commodities? What makes refined fuel different?

5) Would we be complaining about refineries not working if they were run by the likes of Shell, Exxonmobil or Oando and not by the corrupt and inept Nigerian government/civil servants?

6) Has any one wondered why food or any economically priced good has never been scarce in Nigeria? Why is there no room for rent seeking or patronage or corruption or fraud in food production or any non-social goods produced by many competing suppliers? Why fuel or electricity or only monopolistic social goods supplied by the Nigerian government?

7) Why cant we ask the government to start forcing every seller of anything in Nigeria to be selling at government dictated prices and then see what happens?

The laws of economics and corrupt average Nigerian's nature will always defeat the most noble social/political goal the FG has when it to comes to the supply of fuel. What works in Saudi or Venezuela or Iran or Libya will not work in Nigeria due to the peculiar Nigerian factor.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Midas02(m): 2:05am On Nov 22, 2011
Mr Kalokalo,

You may want to read and understand the purpose of the article before running away with your own assumptions. I will be interested in knowing if there is any untruth or false claim in the facts laid out here!

The article deals with the facts on the ground and the truth concerning the current operations and practices in the Nigerian Oil industry - a lot of it obviously is based on government policies and current practices!

The article goes on to expose several facts - many of which are not commonly known (some are even entirely unknown to the public). The author sticks to proven data, statistics and facts with well researched details without engaging in questionable rumors or hearsay! Based on available facts, the author goes on to ask valid and pressing questions with regards to the application of resources effectively by our leadership! He goes on to question the sincerity, integrity and prudence of former and present leaders!!

What the author has not yet done is to proffer or suggest a way out or recommend a solution! He has however promised to deliver on that premise in the second part of the article. I would recommend that you wait for the second part before making a lot of assumptions about where the writer is going with his conclusions!

Many of your questions are dealing with possible solutions and perceived problems that the writer has not yet proclaimed! Your questions are also very slanted (obviously we know where you stand) and presumptuous in assuming that the only solution to a problem is to deregulate! You also wrongly assert that certain practices elsewhere in the world will NOT work in Nigeria even though you are less willing to take a closer look as to why this wild assumption may be so! Nor do you show any interest in finding out or even having a measure of insight into what exactly is done in those countries to ensure that cheap fuel is made readily available to citizens!

I will admonish you, as I will others, to read and assimilate the facts contained in this article and in so doing, everyone will be better equipped and armed with vital information and knowledge, so that Nigerians will no longer be bamboozled and forced into positions of compromise and loss by corrupt and decadent leaders! In the interim, I will recommend that you wait for the second part of the article, where many of your questions may be answered (or not) before you resume your attack!
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by otokx(m): 9:37am On Nov 22, 2011
The article is rather here nor there, mostly inconclusive and is best forgotten. Poster should go and do his research again and come up with something tangible.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Kx: 10:17am On Nov 22, 2011
noblezone:

I have no doubt that Mr. President mean well for the country.
Have we ever had a president that never mearnt well for the country as per oil matters?

If meaning well translates to increase fuel price, I wont call that "meaning well" because its a shallow quick fix.
However,If meaning well means building or allowing private investors to build more refineries and putting a permanent stop to importation of refined products, that is good intention imo.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by legedzBENZ(m): 10:40am On Nov 22, 2011
kalokalo:

The OP's original article is full of misconceptions. The are a lot of fundamental questions that the article's author failed to ask and answer. The questions and attendant answrs will point to why fuel scarcity/shortages, adulteration, subsidy consistently plague Nigeria while our surrounding West African neighbors do not have the same issues  namely:

1) Why is it that only government owned refineries exist in Nigeria? Why have the IOCs/private investors refused to invest in refineries if there is indeed no 'subsidy' and it made business / economic sense to invest in refineries in Nigeria?

2) If a brand new refinery in built today in Nigeria, at what price would crude be sold to them by the IOCs/JV partners? at what price would they be allowed to sell their refined products  i.e crude costs + refining costs+ crude and refined fuel transport costs + VAT/excise charges + bank charges + profit?

3) Would be IOCs agree to sell crude to local refineries at below international market prices considering that they are are tied to long term crude supply contracts to foreign refineries at global spot prices? If they are forced to, would the FG reimburse them of that loss considering that the IOCs are not charities like NNPC?

4) What makes the author think locally refined fuel would be cheaper than foreign ones? Is he vouching that local refineries can run more efficiently than foreign ones? Has he considered the cost of doing business in Nigeria? How many commodities produced in Nigeria are cheaper than foreign sourced identical commodities? What makes refined fuel different?

5) Would we be complaining about refineries not working if they were run by the likes of Shell, Exxonmobil or Oando and not by the corrupt and inept Nigerian government/civil servants?

6) Has any one wondered why food or any economically priced good has never been scarce in Nigeria? Why is there no room for rent seeking or patronage or corruption or fraud in food production or any non-social goods produced by many competing suppliers? Why fuel or electricity or only monopolistic social goods supplied by the Nigerian government?

7) Why cant we ask the government to start forcing every seller of anything in Nigeria to be selling at government dictated prices and then see what happens?

The laws of economics and corrupt average Nigerian's nature will always defeat the most noble social/political goal the FG has when it to comes to the supply of fuel. What works in Saudi or Venezuela or Iran or Libya will not work in Nigeria due to the peculiar Nigerian factor.


oga mi kalokalo, may god bless you and your family for eternity for your thought-provoking questions

i think the poster has done very well to analyse it as he has done, and although there are some errors in some of his conclusions, most of his statements are very valid, however, kalokalo gives a different angle to some of the issues, which to my mind isnt mutually exclusive of the posters', in other words, they should be taken side by side in order to get an even fuller picture of not only our oil and gas industry, but of the state of play in our country as a whole
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by jamace(m): 10:45am On Nov 22, 2011
The article is rather here nor there, mostly inconclusive and is best forgotten. Poster should go and do his research again and come up with something tangible.


Don't throw away the article yet. The poster has only introduced the subject matter and some of you are already concluding? Wait until he concludes.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by debosky(m): 12:06pm On Nov 22, 2011
There are a number of factual inaccuracies in the article, though the main thrust of the article rings true - there is an unbelievable amount of dishonesty and shady dealings in the 'subsidy' being provided.

For example, this issue of Domestic Supply Obligation (DSO) is clearly untrue - since the introduction of the PPRA, the NNPC has been forced to buy crude for domestic refining at the international prices, not at any subsidized price.

The issue of 'depot' charges is a familiar one - the lack of capacity at Atlas Cove and the frequent disruptions have forced importers to build their own depots and jetties and charge back for it. This is not necessarily a 'fraudulent' charge, but is clearly another product of the grossly inefficient distribution network in the country.

kalokalo has raised a number of very valid comments about the subsidy - many of which are not addressed by the author of the initial article.

It was apparently not so long after this moment that the nation’s refineries started experiencing operational and maintenance issues! It goes without saying that the nation’s journey from that moment on, especially with regards to Energy and Power, became a quick downward spiral!

A grossly inaccurate statement. The author himself acknowledges that the PHRC was not finished till 1989 so how could the 'downward spiral' have started in 1986?

The truth is, arbitrary central price control is a haven for corruption in Nigeria because of the lack of transparency. It will always provide opportunity for patronage and outright stealing from the Nigerian state.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by BCuZiMBlaCk(m): 12:12pm On Nov 22, 2011
Interesting
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by dinah777: 12:33pm On Nov 22, 2011
A analytical post,hard to know what to say.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Jencejyde(m): 1:13pm On Nov 22, 2011
Great post! Pity like someone said, this is where the youths need to be and learn about what is going on in the country, unfortunately they are someplace else.

Again we should be careful to quickly adjudge that the writer has some questions that are yet to be answered. What is crucial is the fact that he has exposed some underlying facts(or truths) about our present economic dispensation regards to Oil. This for me, is absolutely intuitive.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by jamessmith2099: 1:16pm On Nov 22, 2011
Write saying that Again we should be careful to quickly adjudge that the writer has some questions that are yet to be answered. So this is very helpful to every one.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by rolchi(m): 1:20pm On Nov 22, 2011
debosky:

There are a number of factual inaccuracies in the article, though the main thrust of the article rings true - there is an unbelievable amount of dishonesty and shady dealings in the 'subsidy' being provided.

For example, this issue of Domestic Supply Obligation (DSO) is clearly untrue - since the introduction of the PPRA, the NNPC has been forced to buy crude for domestic refining at the international prices, not at any subsidized price.

The issue of 'depot' charges is a familiar one - the lack of capacity at Atlas Cove and the frequent disruptions have forced importers to build their own depots and jetties and charge back for it. This is not necessarily a 'fraudulent' charge, but is clearly another product of the grossly inefficient distribution network in the country.

kalokalo has raised a number of very valid comments about the subsidy - many of which are not addressed by the author of the initial article.

A grossly inaccurate statement. The author himself acknowledges that the PHRC was not finished till 1989 so how could the 'downward spiral' have started in 1986?

The truth is, arbitrary central price control is a haven for corruption in Nigeria because of the lack of transparency. It will always provide opportunity for patronage and outright stealing from the Nigerian state.

May God bless you and Kalokalo and may OUR DEAR GOODLUCK EBELEMI JONATHAN carry through these reforms!
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by otokx(m): 1:31pm On Nov 22, 2011
For subsidy to be removed there should be some basic infrastructure to be on ground, the ability to handle large ships bringing in products. Left to me the entire NNPC should be scrapped; they are just collecting money and doing nothing absolutely.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by muyoto: 1:50pm On Nov 22, 2011
obvoiuly interesting article, but too long. . . tongue
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by jonced(m): 2:26pm On Nov 22, 2011
I like the fact that the OP took the time to post this information on a very topical issue in the country today.

@OP, ur effort is much appreciated.

I am not sure however, if all that was written is accurate, some contributors have disputed some of the information BUT that is neither here nor there.

The fact as i see it is that some greedy nigerians are making tons of money from the loopholes in the Oil Industry not necessarily because of wrong government policies but because of corrupt  govt. officers who are always ready to explore avenues to garner wealth fraudulently.

This situation i believe is what informed the presidents decision to remove the fuel subsidy. His assumption is that by removing the subsidy, a lot of the funds going into corrupt pockets would be halted and the proceeds from our national resource  would be channeled into the appropriate quarters ie governmant coffers for the good of all and not just a few. A good plan it is, but quite laughable in our context.

Nigerians are still waiting for an explanation for the disappearance of over $25 million  excess crude revenue that walked into individuals pockets when the treasury was looted during the unfortunate incapacitation of the late Yar'adua in 2008/2009. What happened to the billions spent by government
on power? Nigerians NEVER see any positive impact of government disbursements on their life, its terrible.

No power, health sector virtually non existent, infant and maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world, hospitals lack facilities. education is abysmal, our public school students are practically illiterates, our roads are death traps in the dry season and lakes during the rainy season, currency devaluation is a constant phenomenon, No jobs (how can there b jobs when interest rates and cost of runnning a business are prohibitive)

My point is that any money that accrues into the government coffers as a result of subsidy removal will only end up being stolen anyway upon disbursement and regular Nigerians will just end up losing both ways, the result will be an unimagineable economic burden and suffering.

This administration should show a much greater determination to deal decisively with corruption and ensure that the people can benefit from our national resouce, oil. Unfortunately, i see a lack of resolve in this regard and too many sacred cows, methinks there are many skeletons in the presidents cupboard that is hindering him, some of which are electoral skeletons.

The country's state of security is very sad, this situation came about mainly as a result of citizens hardship and now the government want to add more, well, let's see.

The president said the economy will collapse, simple economics tells me that if a government has a resource in high demand (oil) that can be exported and internal spending is controlled, there should be excess left, just as a company that has a viable product should make a profit after deducting cost of sales and expenses.

Goverment should as a matter of urgency begin to find solutions to refining crude oil in the country, by partnering with countries more developed in this sector. i also advocate for private companies to participate but a strong regulator should be in place, just as the CBN regulates banks. This way a more lasting solution will be found and our children would not have to go through the perrenial oscillation that has been our lot.

For now, it will be unwise and insensitive to the security situation in the country now to remove the subsidy.
Any assurances by the government that funds realised from subsidy removal will make life easier for Nigerians is totally unacceptable because this has never been the case. The same corrupt individuals would just find another means to siphon the money into their pockets,

GEJ, I would advise u for now to leave the subsidy in place, tackle the loopholes and corruption in the system, fix the refinery inadequacies , cut government expenditure, both capital and recurrent, aggressively explore other means of income besides crude and tackle the security problem. These are pressing initiatives for now.

GEJ, be bold and make a difference so that our CHILDREN would have something to be happy about.

God bless Nigeria
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by stepo707: 2:57pm On Nov 22, 2011
jonced:

I like the fact that the OP took the time to post this information on a very topical issue in the country today.

@OP, your effort is much appreciated.

I am not sure however, if all that was written is accurate, some contributors have disputed some of the information BUT that is neither here nor there.

The fact as i see it is that some greedy nigerians are making tons of money from the loopholes in the Oil Industry not necessarily because of wrong government policies but because of corrupt  govt. officers who are always ready to explore avenues to garner wealth fraudulently.

This situation i believe is what informed the presidents decision to remove the fuel subsidy. His assumption is that by removing the subsidy, a lot of the funds going into corrupt pockets would be halted and the proceeds from our national resource  would be channeled into the appropriate quarters ie governmant coffers for the good of all and not just a few. A good plan it is, but quite laughable in our context.

Nigerians are still waiting for an explanation for the disappearance of over $25 million  excess crude revenue that walked into individuals pockets when the treasury was looted during the unfortunate incapacitation of the late Yar'adua in 2008/2009. What happened to the billions spent by government
on power? Nigerians NEVER see any positive impact of government disbursements on their life, its terrible.

No power, health sector virtually non existent, infant and maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world, hospitals lack facilities. education is abysmal, our public school students are practically illiterates, our roads are death traps in the dry season and lakes during the rainy season, currency devaluation is a constant phenomenon, No jobs (how can there b jobs when interest rates and cost of runnning a business are prohibitive)

My point is that any money that accrues into the government coffers as a result of subsidy removal will only end up being stolen anyway upon disbursement and regular Nigerians will just end up losing both ways, the result will be an unimagineable economic burden and suffering.

This administration should show a much greater determination to deal decisively with corruption and ensure that the people can benefit from our national resouce, oil. Unfortunately, i see a lack of resolve in this regard and too many sacred cows, methinks there are many skeletons in the presidents cupboard that is hindering him, some of which are electoral skeletons.

The country's state of security is very sad, this situation came about mainly as a result of citizens hardship and now the government want to add more, well, let's see.

The president said the economy will collapse, simple economics tells me that if a government has a resource in high demand (oil) that can be exported and internal spending is controlled, there should be excess left, just as a company that has a viable product should make a profit after deducting cost of sales and expenses.

Goverment should as a matter of urgency begin to find solutions to refining crude oil in the country, by partnering with countries more developed in this sector. i also advocate for private companies to participate but a strong regulator should be in place, just as the CBN regulates banks. This way a more lasting solution will be found and our children would not have to go through the perrenial oscillation that has been our lot.

For now, it will be unwise and insensitive to the security situation in the country now to remove the subsidy.
Any assurances by the government that funds realised from subsidy removal will make life easier for Nigerians is totally unacceptable because this has never been the case. The same corrupt individuals would just find another means to siphon the money into their pockets,

GEJ, I would advise u for now to leave the subsidy in place, tackle the loopholes and corruption in the system, fix the refinery inadequacies , cut government expenditure, both capital and recurrent, aggressively explore other means of income besides crude and tackle the security problem. These are pressing initiatives for now.

GEJ, be bold and make a difference so that our CHILDREN would have something to be happy about.

God bless Nigeria

 
















God bless you jare.Lets see what happens.I really hope GEJ knows what he is doing
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by Natudu: 3:01pm On Nov 22, 2011
Interesting. Subscribing,
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by kulutempa: 3:01pm On Nov 22, 2011
There will be no progress in Nigeria until the citizens take their destiny in their hands.   Instead of fighting against the removal of the subsidy, why couldn't Nigerians insist that the goverment reduce the subsidy by say 20% every year, with the money saved going into a special infrastructure fund for the repair of the existing refineries, the construction of new ones,  as well as roads, schools and hospitals.  They could also insist that the fund be transparent with specific timelines on when the projects will be completed and quarterly independent audits by multinational accounting firms, on the progress of the infrastructure projects and the fund expenditure.  They could also warn the government that if this agreement is not adhered to there will be nationwide protests and strikes, against any further subsidy reductions.  This is how serious and sensible people hold their government to account and if we cannot do such things in Nigeria, we deserve the government that we have and  worse.   It is really down to us at the end of the day, and expecting evil and corrupt leaders to change their ways voluntarily without being forced to do so is nothing but a pipe dream.    If we can force Babangida to "step down" we can force changes in our country and all it takes is the will to do it.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by COMPAQ(m): 3:24pm On Nov 22, 2011
Mr kalokalo

very well though out response. It is obvious that you possess sound logical and intellect and that you are very economically sound. I am in support of deregulation also for the LONG term survival of this country. No doubt withough corruption, we'd be better placed to administer subsidy properly, but those arguing that way are only wishful thinkers. A concise analysis of the Nigeria situation suggests that corruption is not going anywhere anytime soon. Therefore we must take on board the policy that serves us best with public sector corruption in mind and that is to bring about private sector transparency, initiative, proactives, investment, technological know how etc. There are lots of things that the private sector gives an economy like ours that the public sector can't do in 2-30 years, transparency, accountability, proactiveness, efficiency, access to modern technology etc are some of them

That is not to say that the private sector is perfect or is free from corruption, but i can safely say the private sector is 100 times better than govt. NITEL provided us with 500,000 lines in about 40 years, GSM provided 100mln in 10! NITEL consumed govt funds, GSM has contributed massively to govt funds, I only knew old people who worked in NITEl but GSM has employed thousands of young graduates, I have never seen our refineries advertise for vacancies, but Shell, Total, NLNG etc regulalry advertise in the papers! And so many more similar stories exist.

The most pertinent of kalokalos questions is question 4. How are we really sure that Nigerian refined petrol will be cheaper than imported petrol? We simply assume that it would be because in the past govt simply allocated crude to NNPC. but in a dregulated system, refiners would have to pay about the same international price for crude. And with the multiple pipline breakages, hostage taking and bunkering we have here in Nigeria, the costs may indeed be more expensive than imported crude, where there are no logistical nightmares in the transportation of crude to and from refineries.

This fuel subsidy issue need to be debated at the highest level and by the sharpest minds so that all the issues, even the minutest ones, can be identified and analysed and solutions proferred. Nairaland is not really the place for such debate because to be honest most people on the forum are not specialised and logical enough to debate properly.

Like I have always said there will be some short term pain, but Nigeria will benefit in the long run. Some people may loose their jobs and never find new ones, but other younger ones will get jobs and it's better to provide a 28 year old man with a job, than keep a 62 year old on the job. What matters is the macro economics and not necessarily the micro (at every individual level).

I don tire to type, nuff said,
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by COMPAQ(m): 3:27pm On Nov 22, 2011
kulutempa:

There will be no progress in Nigeria until the citizens take their destiny in their hands.   Instead of fighting against the removal of the subsidy, why couldn't Nigerians insist that the goverment reduce the subsidy by say 20% every year, with the money saved going into a special infrastructure fund for the repair of the existing refineries, the construction of new ones,  as well as roads, schools and hospitals.  They could also insist that the fund be transparent with specific timelines on when the projects will be completed and quarterly independent audits by multinational accounting firms, on the progress of the infrastructure projects and the fund expenditure.  They could also warn the government that if this agreement is not adhered to there will be nationwide protests and strikes, against any further subsidy reductions.  This is how serious and sensible people hold their government to account and if we cannot do such things in Nigeria, we deserve the government that we have and  worse.   It is really down to us at the end of the day, and expecting evil and corrupt leaders to change their ways voluntarily without being forced to do so is nothing but a pipe dream.    If we can force Babangida to "step down" we can force changes in our country and all it takes is the will to do it.


very well said, another intelligent respondent. He's not intelligent cos he agrees with me, but because the use of logic and sound economics is apparent. One can have an opposing view, but let the arguement for the opposing view be based on logic, fact and economics. That way it can be studied and the negative impact ameliorated.

By the way, one reason why what you suggest is far from happening is that we have an NLC that have people that are not very sound in economic matters and who don't employ high levels of logic and general competence. If they were, they'd see that overall, privatisation is the best thing for this economy and that privatisation would better serve the people they claim to represent more than public ownership.

http://wayforwardnaija..com/2010/07/nlc-and-labour-unions-always-in-our.html
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by sheyguy: 4:37pm On Nov 22, 2011
deotelan:

Sheyguy if yhu are really sure of the errors bro why not atleast highlight them let's see and subsequently give us the correct informationz!

Midas02:

PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: THE FACTS, THE MYTHS AND THE HIDDEN TRUTH!

Written by Olumide Iluyomade
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SUMMATION & VERDICT:


In conclusion, one must wonder what has been done to mitigate and resolve this cyclical problem of ‘fuel subsidy’ that seems to have been a bone of contention for every administration for the past 26 years! It is also interesting to note that the beginning of this perennial problem was set at the onset of the devaluation of Naira in 1986 when the Babangida administration adopted and implemented the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP). It was apparently not so long after this moment that the nation’s refineries started experiencing operational and maintenance issues!  It goes without saying that the nation’s journey from that moment on, especially with regards to Energy and Power, became a quick downward spiral!

In more recent years however, there was a glimmer of hope – not because of improvement in the leadership profile or improvement in management skill of the government, but rather because of a fortunate and fantastic global phenomenon that inordinately increased and multiplied the nation’s earnings through a steady and consistent stream of high crude oil prices! A Bloomberg report revealed that Nigeria has earned $196 billion in the past 4 years alone (2006 – 2010)! As a matter of fact, it is important to point out that Nigeria’s earnings in the last 10 years has exceeded the total earnings of the nation for a period of 29 years dating from 1970 – 1999!!


When u consider the inflation US dollar has gone through in the past in the past 39yrs and use the buying power of the money earned from oil proceeds in the last 10 years against the last 29 years u will quickly come to realize that a faulty the highlighted logic can be.

As a matter of fact last time i checked a US dollar in the 70's can buy 13 Us dollar in 2005.
Re: PART 1: NIGERIAN OIL INDUSTRY AND FUEL SUBSIDY: FACTS, MYTHS & HIDDEN TRUTH by sheyguy: 4:58pm On Nov 22, 2011
Know more about shady deals in Nigerian oil industry here
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-807613.0.html

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