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DEREGULATION OF THE DOWNSTREAM OIL SECTOR IN NIGERIA AS A PANACEA TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY OF THE COUNTRY

  • Department: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
  • Chapters: 1-5
  • Pages: 78
  • Attributes: questionnaire, data analysis, abstract
  • Views: 128
  •  :: Methodology: primary research
  • PRICE: ₦ 5,000
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DEREGULATION OF THE DOWNSTREAM OIL SECTOR IN NIGERIA AS A PANACEA TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY OF THE COUNTRY

ABSTRACT

This study examined the deregulation of the downstream oil sector in Nigeria as a panacea to economic recovery of the country (An Analysis of 2010-2015 Economic Programme of Nigeria). In this study the researcher has find out some of the problems that are facing the deregulation of the downstream oil sector in Nigeria, these problems are continuous increase in petroleum price, scarcity of petroleum product . all these are the major problems that are facing the deregulation of the downstream oil sector which government have to help solving this problems by making fuel available and controlling the price. Also the researcher has find out some of the objective which will also help in the deregulation of the downstream oil sector which includes , investigating the effect or the deregulation of the downstream oil sector on the living standards of the people, also to examine the pre and unrealistic deregulation era and make critical comprise. And to explore the reason why partial deregulation has not yielded the desired result in terms of prices and supply. Data collection was also used in the research work, data collection is an important aspect of any type of research study. The method of data used for this study was primary and secondary sources. The researcher administered a total of 80 copies questionnaires to both in rural areas, from the data the following finding were apparent that a tremendous impact was made by downstream oil sector in Nigeria oil industries. Finally the findings and conclusion in the research work were also discussed, showing that without proper management, control and investment the revenue generated from deregulation of the downstream oil sector will be embossed by corrupt government officials. If government decide to force down the deregulation policy as currently conceived, it will greatly erode the ability of the people to cope with further price increases on petroleum products. Businesses would be further impaired to operate under a regime of higher energy cost, while ease of doing business indicators remains generally negative in the countr

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Historically, major petroleum marketing companies were the main sources of petroleum product’s supply. The companies transported and distributed the products relying on their distribution and retail outlets. This was an era of Pre- regulation in which Nigerian paid market-determined prices for products. However, this arrangement was not sustainable given that it was dependent on the profit and market imperatives of the oil marketers.  The country’s economic activities expanded in the seventies such that private companies could no longer cope with increase demand for products. This resulted in erratic supply of petrol and kerosene and ultimately acute scarcity of the product. The shortage was endemic and created social and economic dislocation in the country. This market failure made government to venture into petroleum products marketing and distribution.

The concern by government to overcome this lack of product and total dependency on oil companies led to policy shift towards regulations. Government therefore introduced uniform pricing to satisfy domestic demand, strengthen self-reliance and avoid a situation in which the oil companies could hold the country to ransom. The nation witnessed adequate supply of petroleum products up till 2000. Thereafter, due to the sustained devaluation of the Naira on account of the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) coupled with the non-maintenance of the refineries, domestic production was soon undermined making it imperative for demand to be met through imports. The shortages of petroleum products escalated in spite of increases in prices of products since 1999. The Olusegun Obasanjo administration on coming on board decided to gradually withdraw the subsidy on petroleum products to allow the mechanics of market forces to take its full course. This again, resulted to frequency increase in petroleum products prices.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Petroleum products supplies have always been problematic for successive Governments in Nigeria. With the new democratic dispensation, the supply and distribution of petroleum products improved but this was without a frequent price increase in petroleum products. With few months to the end of the Obasanjo’s regime, the ugly incidence of petroleum scarcity surfaced again and one begins to wonder if there is any solution to this problem. The contemporary passion and tension that usually characterize petroleum discourse is due to unquantifiable deprivations and sufferings it causes in Nigerians. As the 6th largest producer of petroleum, it is a contradiction that in the past decade, supply of all products has been changeable and on sharp decline. Ironically, as supply declined, products prices have been on the increase as successive governments searched for “appropriate pricing”. The combined impact of unreliable and inadequate supply and unending price increases have brought untold hardship to the citizenry and worse too, prevented economic recovery as promised by the present democratically elected government given that capacity utilization in the manufacturing sector nose-dives due to shortages of industrial products. Indeed many industries have been compelled to close due to non-availability of some of these products.

In the bid to solve the problem in many developing countries, structural reform of petroleum markets has become a critical component of macroeconomic liberalization policies. The role of the government in the petroleum sector is being redefined, and markets are being deregulated (i.e state interventions such as special treatments of state-owned oil companies, price controls and monopolies are being broken up). Increasingly, the private sector is participating in more competitive environment. But unexpectedly, the outcome of the deregulation has not been encouraging. There has been continuous increase in petroleum prices with persistent scarcity of petroleum products. It was expected that deregulation would give room for competition which would transform to price reduction and excellent supply and distribution network. This study is devoted on the evaluation of the deregulation exercise; critically appraising its impact on petroleum pricing, consumption and the general living standard of the people.

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