By Yusuf Yunus
The Association of Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (MOMAN) on Saturday urged operators in the Nigerian downstream sector to ensure automation of their services.
According to the body, automating their services will help them generate data, improve product delivery storage utilization and profitability.
Mr. Clement Isong, the CEO of MOMAN, gave the advice while speaking during a virtual workshop on International Data Day on Saturday.
Isong, who discussed the importance of data and automation in the downstream business, said data on demand for refined fuel and lubricant products could streamline operations, improve product delivery, utilization of ‘storage, among others.
Isong said automation would also ensure transparency, excellent customer service, eliminate fraud, corruption and enhance the reputation of the industry.
The MOMAN boss urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to invest in infrastructure for data collection.
Isong said: “Our position at MOMAN is that we are looking for the automation of the entire supply chain. This means that everyone has to invest in optimizing their businesses.
“Finally, the beneficiary is the customer. It is good for corporate governance. Removes people’s ability to steal.
“And the same authority, NMDPRA, has to invest in infrastructure for data collection and has to do a preliminary analysis of that data.
“You have to put this information on your website, which can be accessed by investors, sellers, operators and everyone.
“From that base, you optimize the business and make investment decisions. It’s critical to a deregulated system.
“It improves the quality of decision-making as well as transparency and eliminates bad behavior as well as fraud and theft.
“You have to shine your light and your darkness and bad practices will disappear. This is very important,” lsong added.
Senior Policy Analyst Ikponmwosa Aikhionbare said Ghana launched the Bulk Road Vehicle Tracking System (BRVTS) to track the movement of petroleum products from depots to outlets.
“The system uses GPS technology to monitor the location, speed and fuel consumption of trucks carrying petroleum products.
“In India, the government has implemented a system called the Automated System for Oil Movement and Storage (ASOMS), which tracks the movement of petroleum products through the supply chain.
“The system uses data analysis to monitor product quality and identify potential problems before they cause defects or safety hazards,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the virtual workshop was attended by energy journalists and stakeholders from the oil and gas industry. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
