The unethical and unprofessional practices currently being witnessed in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry is about end if the plans rolled out by the Major Oil Marketers of Nigeria (MOMAN) are meticulously implemented.
What this means is that there would be no under dispensing of fuel at the filling stations, there would be proper calibration of the equipment at the filling stations that would ensure customers get satisfaction from petrol attendants. Other unwholesome practices engaged by both the attendants and dealers at the various filling stations would be seriously curtailed.
MOMAN is repositioning itself to be in line with international best practices; to be the industry reference and to lead the industry back to professionalism. More than ever before Nigerian customer would be the centre piece of MOMAN’s new strategy.
To achieve this, the association has developed guiding principle/statement of intents through which it plans to be a reliable partner to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the actualisation of the National Petroleum Policy.
Specifically, to drive and support the vision and mission of the policy as well as its strategic policy objectives which are: “To become a nation where hydrocarbons are used as a fuel for national economic growth and not simply a source of income, maximize production and processing of hydrocarbons.
The Strategic Policy objectives of the association includes creating a market-driven oil and gas industry, cost efficient storage, transportation and distribution of petroleum products, move away from oil as a source of income to oil as a fuel for economic growth; and managing the balance between oil resources versus renewable energy.
Pace setting and deployment of international best practices in the business of Nigeria’s petroleum downstream sector is one of the foremost objectives of reformed MOMAN and this will entail the following: Promoting the development of institutional capacity as well as a sustainable viable downstream petroleum industry thereby fostering the economic and social growth of Nigeria, development and compliance with an industry self-regulatory regime to support regulators and raise Nigeria’s safety, technical and quality standards in fulfilment of the government’s national petroleum policy.
Others are: Enhancing conditions which results in only professional and responsible organizations, participating in the petroleum downstream sector in Nigeria, compliance with corporate governance code of conduct by participants in the petroleum downstream sector in Nigeria, adherence to international industry best practices in Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality Standards (HSSEQ), improving customer service by amongst others the deployment of technology in the protection of the Customer and ultimately the business.
The associations is not done yet as it said it would enhance the optimization of the supply value chain to increase efficiency and reduce cost, promote Nigerian content and ensuring compliance by participants in the petroleum downstream sector in Nigeria, training and development of Nigerians in important disciplines such as engineering, management, strategy and establishment of a think-thank of professionals to tackle industry issues and proffer workable solutions to identified problems.
Major oil marketers group is made up of 11 Plc (formerly Mobil), Conoil Plc, Forte Oil Plc, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, OVH Energy Marketing Limited and Total Nigeria Plc.
According to Clement Isong, chief executive officer of the association, MOMAN is committed to helping drive best practices and create the right policy environment for the achievement of market objectives and the delivery of optimal value to the Nigerian energy consumer by partnership with stakeholders including government and industry regulators.
Since its inception, MOMAN has progressively gained a solid and enviable reputation in the Nigerian petroleum industry. MOMAN began in the early 2000’s as ‘cordination’. The lack of investment in the country’s infrastructure, the quality of the distribution network, the changes in international petroleum economics, or simply the inability to keep abreast with Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) developments in other parts of the world, (including other African countries) have plagued the Nigerian petroleum industry, resulting in an unsustainable business model.
“MOMAN members have started imbibing self-regulation, international best practices & shall propose national initiatives as part of its contribution to the country. With MOMAN’s collective depth of expertise, access to technology and intellectual resources (locally and internationally), we are best positioned to correct the downward slide the petroleum sector has suffered in partnership with MDAs such as NNPC, PPMC, DPR, PPPRA, FRSC, through several programs, to develop and promote HSSEQ standards in the industry, drive business efficiencies, identify logistics opportunities and lead the industry in raising and meeting international standards and make meaningful contributions to the society”. A few of which are stated below:
Efficiency Driven Initiatives
Internal Actions:
• Driver Training
• Self-Assessment & Standard Development
• Technical Evaluation of Tanks and Tractors
• Deployment of up-to-date IT tools (On-Board Computers, Cameras and Route Survey by GPS)
• Self-Regulation
External Actions:
• Collaboration with FRSC on safe-to-load checks
• Collaboration with the Apapa Grid Lock Taskforce
• Partnership with the Lagos State Safety Commission
MOMAN believes that a safe operation using the correct norms and standards will guarantee the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Majority of MOMAN’s successes in 2018 were as a result of a deliberate and conscious strategy to re-structure the Association.
“MOMAN is constantly striving to improve by being much more than an ‘operations based’ organization that works tirelessly to ensure depot, jetty and logistics efficiencies. It has evolved and is evolving into a more ‘knowledge-based organization.
We recognize that there are gaps along the supply chain and are investing in technology to plug these loopholes. The Nigerian customer shall get quality service as well as the right quantity of whatever they pay for from MOMAN retail outlets”, Isong said.
Olusola Bello
