From Uche Usim, Abuja
The Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) are jointly carrying out an extensive research and survey aimed at ascertaining Nigeria’s daily consumption figure for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, in the country.
The two government agencies also say the research may extend to other petroleum products as it has become imperative to accurately know what was spent on importation, cost of bridging/equalisation and the likely impact of the proposed deregulation of the product on the country.
They are also seeking to determine the consumption volume on a state by state basis, while generating other vital information that will help the government in planning and budgeting for the petroleum sector.
Speaking at the weekend during a meeting with members of the PEF-NBS Joint Committee on the research project in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, PEF, Ahmed Bobboi, said his management initiated the survey with the full understanding that accurate data was necessary for good decision making and planning.
He lamented that there had been several conflicting figures on PMS consumption bandied around by various government agencies, pointing out that Nigeria as a country should be able to provide such information accurately without any fear of contradiction.
The PEF boss noted that several local and international bodies have been itching for such information, assuring that all relevant stakeholders needed in the research will be carried along.
According to him, the committee’s mandate extends beyond PMS, adding “we need much more accurate data in the oil sector.”
Bobboi said the pilot scheme would focus on PMS because it remains the highest consumed petroleum product in the country.
“We took off the survey with determining the daily PMS consumption in Nigeria. Getting the daily consumption figure of PMS has been elusive in Nigeria. We need acceptable and relevant statistics to plan well. I have confidence we will come up with the actual consumption figure when this survey is over,” he assured.
“We have competent people on the project. The committee sat severally to determine how to go about this important task and have made progress and there is a report on how the research will look like.”
In his remarks, the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, commended the PEF boss for the initiative. “We are in a period where the entire world is talking about accurate data in all forms. We do not need assumptions. Accuracy helps us plan and make projections.
That is why you see that big countries like USA, Germany, China and all others are big and passionate about data. It is gaining momentum here in Nigeria too.
“So, for the PEF boss to insist on data, it means he wants to improve the country. It is a commitment to Nigeria. The work on the strategy of the assignment was thoroughly done. I went through the plans and methodology. This is the first time in the history of the country that an actual attempt to solve problems of data on PMS consumption is being made. We only based our reports on estimates,” Kale stated.