Cross River State government has assured operators in the oil sector of its willingness to sustain harmonious working relationship existing between Calabar Unit of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and affiliate bodies operating in the Calabar Petroleum Depot.
He stated that the synergy would help to boost the revenue that will accrue from the sector especially if there is peace among operators of the sector.
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The secretary to the state government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh gave the assurance when IPMAN leadership and stakeholders of Depot Community visited his office in Calabar yesterday.
The SSG lauded the delegation for the visit promising to ensure that peace is restored among operators of the state oil sector.
He spoke on the misconstrued notion arising from his presence at an event involving the national IPMAN official and others in Calabar, insisting that he was there on an individual capacity, not as official of government.
“When last we met with Mr. Asue, somehow the impression was that the state government was being partisan because of my presence at the occasion signaled government support for the action of Mr Okim Abang.
“When I got the reaction from IPMAN stakeholders, I did one thing which someone said was very unusual. To write a kind of apology explaining that my presence at the said event was purely personal, reason why I did not make any statement.
“So, when I heard of the outcry from you, I had to tender my unreserved apology with all humility.” The SSG maintained.
The SSG who spoke on the importance of the oil sector and the need for cooperation, said, “I think the state government is grateful for the hard work and harmony in the oil sector.
“The Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on oil and any sneeze in the sector affects the entire nation. CRS is not excluded. It would have been very unreasonable for the state government, by my presence, to be the one to cause any problem in the oil sector.
“We crave for harmony in the oil sector. Because only through harmony, calm, understanding among stakeholders can the government have the best. We know the role you play in terms of your contributions to the growth of the economy of the state in supply, taxes and other revenue sources,” he said.
Earlier, the Comrade Robert Obi led-faction of IPMAN led by Mr Robert Obi, lauded the governor and urged the government to be wary of the selfish machinations of certain individuals which are intended to cause chaos in the host communities.