*The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria urges stakeholders in the downstream sector of the economy to employ data and automation, stressing data on products demand, refined fuels and lubricants can improve product delivery and storage utilisation

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As a veritable measure improve product delivery storage utilisation and profitability in the industry, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) Saturday, March 4, 2023, urged operators in the Nigerian downstream sector of the economy to ensure  automation of their services.

Mr. Clement Isong, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MOMAN, gave the advice while speaking during a virtual workshop on World International Data Day at the weekend.

ConsumerConnect learnt the oil marketers noted that automation of their services would help the downstream operators on data generation as well as product delivery storage utilisation and profitability.

Isong, who spoke on the importance of data and automation in the downstream business, said data on products demand on refined fuels and lubricants could streamline operations, improve product delivery, storage utilisation, among others.

Isong said that the automation would also ensure transparency, excellent customer service, eliminate fraud, corruption and  boost the reputation of the industry, agency report said.

The MOMAN Chief also urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), also called The Authority, to invest in infrastructure for data gathering.

“Our position in MOMAN is that we are looking for the automation of the entire supply chain.

“It means everybody needs to invest in order to optimise their businesses, said Isong.

He further stated: “Eventually, the beneficiary is the customer. It is good for corporate governance. It removes people’s ability to steal.

“And the authority, NMDPRA, itself, has got to invest in infrastructure for data gathering and has got to do a preliminary analysis of that data.”

The CEO of MOMAN said: “It has to put up that information on its website, which investors, marketers, operators and everybody can access.

“On that basis, optimise the business and make investment decisions. It is fundamental to a deregulated system.”

The CEO of the Association said: “It improves the quality of decision-making as well as transparency and eliminates bad behaviour as well as fraud and theft.

“You have to shine your light and darkness and bad practices will disappear. This is very important.”

Data analysis to monitor product quality, identify operational issues: Expert

Speaking on the importance of data use in enhancing operations in the sector, Ikponmwosa Aikhionbare, a political analyst, related that Ghana launched the Bulk Road Vehicle Tracking System (BRVTS) to track the movement of petroleum products from depots to retail outlets.

Aikhionbare said: “The system uses GPS technology to monitor the location, speed, and fuel consumption of trucks transporting 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 leading analyst opined “the system uses data analysis to monitor product quality and identify potential issues before they cause defects or safety hazards.”

Among other participants, energy reporters and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry also featured in the virtual workshop, according to report.