The National Association of Surface Tank Oil and Gas Retailers of Nigeria (NASTOGRN) is to partner National Orientation Agency (NOA), in its October 12th, 2024 statewide sensitization programme in Anambra State on promoting and protecting the rights of retailers in oil and gas business in the country.
The partnership intent was revealed by the National President and BOT Chairman of the association, Dr. Okotete Marcus, when he paid a solidarity visit to the State NOA Director, Mr. Edozie Ajaegbu in his office at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Awka.
Dr. Okotete, said the association had gotten an approval letter from the NOA Director-General, Abuja, Dr. Lanre Issa Onilu for the oil and gas sensitization programme for the Community Orientation and Mobilization Office of the Agency in the seven hundred and seventy- seven local government areas of the country, maintained that they carried out similar event in Ebonyi State on the 27th of July, 2024.
He further revealed that the association had completed plans to equally conduct the sensitization programme in Enugu state on the 20th of September, 2024 while that of Abia state will be held on the 28th of the same month, adding that the date for that of Imo state has not been concluded because of the recent change of NOA leadership in the state.
“The Directors of DSS, Fire Service, ICPC, Anambra state top government officials, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nnaghe Itam, are expected to grace the occasion slated to be held on 12th October 2024 in the state.
“The essence of the sensitization programme aligns with the commitment of our association to promoting and protecting the interests of the retailers in the oil and gas industry in the country because it has been observed that the bigwigs in the industry were making it difficult for lower ones in the industry to thrive.
“It is therefore our duty to sensitize the people to better understand the gains derivable in the oil and gas business in the country, especially in the area of marketing the product.
“Many Nigerians have quit the business because of the hassles in acquiring the product, but the leadership of this association is ready to assist anybody who wants to invest in the oil gas business in the country to obtain a licence at a very low cost.
“The lower retailers in the oil gas industry can get their license at ten thousand naira only while the bigger ones get theirs at about three hundred and fifty thousand naira only,” he revealed.
Dr. Okoyete, who further said the association is encouraging women to come into the oil and gas business in the country, stated that one of the richest women in the industry today in Nigeria is from Imo State.
Responding, the State NOA Director, Mr Ajaegbu, said the visit was very crucial to ensure that the Agency is well grounded in all that concerns the oil and gas business in the country, especially its bountiful benefits.
The Director, who described the information as power, advised the Community Mobilization Officers, COMOs, not to hoard the information, but to disseminate same to all communities across the state and the people around.
He assured that the Agency will partner with the association in the onerous task of educating Anambra people on what they need to know about the numerous benefits derivable from the oil and gas business in the country so that our people can now invest in it for their livelihood.
