The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has allayed the fears of gas tanker drivers association that they are likely to be rendered jobless if government goes ahead to implement a contract signed with Puma Energy Limited.

According to a statement issued by the Corporate Affairs Division of the NPA, “The NPA wishes to assure the general public that it is not in our interest to keep the Gas Tanker Drivers Association out of job as is being speculated”

In a response to the claim made by members of the association, NPA stated that it has no contractual agreement with Puma Energy Limited as claimed and therefore indicated that the company in question is not licensed for that purpose.

“Neither Puma Energy Limited nor any other Company has been issued a license to do cylinder recirculation. Puma Energy is a licensed Oil Marketing Company whose primary role is to sell petroleum products to bulk consumers and the general public through retail stations and reselling outlets”

Read full text of their response below.

RE: 7000 GAS TANKER DRIVERS TO LOSE THEIR JOBS BY SEPTEMBER

The attention of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has been drawn to a purported statement emanating from the Gas Tanker Drivers Association and widely circulated in the media yesterday 2nd August, 2017 with the above caption in which a number of false allegations were made and we hereby seek to clarify and set the records straight.

Claim 1: Contract with Puma Energy

The publication claimed Government had entered into a contractual agreement with Puma Energy Limited to be the sole entity tasked with the supply of gas and LPG cylinders to domestic consumers. This is an outright falsehood perpetuated by the Association. We wish to categorically state that neither Puma Energy Limited nor any other Company has been issued a licence to do cylinder recirculation. Puma Energy is a licensed Oil Marketing Company whose primary role is to sell petroleum products to bulk consumers and the general public through retail stations and reselling outlets.

Claim 2: Policy to commence on September 1, 2017

Contrary to the claim that the Cylinder Re-circulation Model policy is set to be implemented beginning September 1, 2017, the policy is in a draft stage which is yet to be finalised and submitted to cabinet for approval before implementation. The ministerial sub-committee led by NPA is currently reviewing the policy and at the same time developing a draft implementation plan.

The NPA has held two separate meetings with LPG/Oil Marketing Companies to collate their concerns and these have been taken care of in the draft policy implementation plan.

Further consultations will be held with the said companies and other stakeholders including the Gas Tanker Drivers before the policy is finalized and implemented.

Claim 3: Policy will keep thousands out of job

It is worthy to mention that while the policy will seek to maintain the existing jobs, it is also going to create more jobs based on the category of licences to be created in the implementation plan.

Conclusion

In this regard, the NPA wishes to assure the general public that it is not in our interest to keep the Gas Tanker Drivers Association out of job as is being speculated.

As the Regulator of the petroleum downstream industry, we have a responsibility to safeguard the interest of all our service providers as well as consumers.

Signed

Corporate Affairs Division