In a bold move, Gabriel Ogbechie, founder and Group Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, has urged Nigeria to revive its pipeline network and adopt fair pricing policies to drive sustainable growth in the energy sector.
Speaking at the Midstream and Downstream Transformation Debate during the Nigerian International Energy Summit in Abuja, Ogbechie emphasised that infrastructure reform and market discipline are essential to building long-term domestic value.
Nigeria’s pipeline infrastructure, once the backbone of its energy sector, has been plagued by vandalism and crude theft, weakening confidence in pipeline operations.
Ogbechie stressed that tackling these issues through intelligence-based monitoring and stricter enforcement of legal frameworks is crucial to restoring trust and attracting investments.
He warned that without security and accountability, infrastructure investments would continue to underperform.
The emergence of the Dangote Refinery has brought renewed optimism to the sector, introducing a new operating reality for marketers and distributors.
Ogbechie noted that cooperation between refiners and downstream marketers is critical to determining whether the transformation delivers lasting value.
He cautioned that pricing must be guided by transparency, equity, and fairness, emphasizing that unpredictable or inequitable pricing structures could distort the market and discourage investment.
Ogbechie criticized the heavy dependence on trucks to transport fuel across vast distances, describing it as economically inefficient and damaging to public infrastructure.
He advocated for a return to a model that leverages Nigeria’s extensive underground pipeline network, linking major cities and former refinery hubs.
This, he said, would increase efficiency, reduce costs, and promote national energy security.
As a prominent player in Nigeria’s energy sector, Ogbechie’s call for reform carries significant weight.
Under his leadership, Rainoil has expanded across the downstream value chain, investing in storage depots, retail outlets, and liquefied petroleum gas plants. His vision for a more efficient national energy framework is a step towards unlocking sustainable growth and promoting industrial expansion.
