 Well, we're back to talk more on the breakfast this morning. We have Mike Osatuie who joins us this morning, an official of Ip Man. Mike, thank you so much for making our time to be part of the show. Yeah, good morning, good morning. All right then, let's run through what exactly all marketers are saying. We have reports saying that all marketers have proposed to the federal government that the natural gas dispenser be co-located on their network of gas stations, numbering about 30,000 in order to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal. However, the federal government has said that it would also hold subsidy in June 2023, or just a few more days from that, budgeting only 3.35 trillion for half-year payment. Now, recently, am I interested to know that Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, had disclosed that the federal government had secured the sum of $800 million from the World Bank as part of a post-subsidy palliative plan. There was a letter that was dated the 3rd of April 2023, it was addressed to Ahmed, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. Ipman presented a palliative situation and solution to cushion the effects of the removal of energy subsidy. The association said that it has existing agreement with gas analytics and solution limited to install natural gas dispensers. According to them, this collaboration with Ipman presents the most economic and expedient platform to deploy necessary infrastructure. That's to support the fast national rollout of C and G4 vehicles. This is what the letter actually said, no time to go through all of that. But Ipman has also highlighted the need for the CBN to release intervention fund for the national gas expansion program as loans to vehicle owners to acquire gas conversion kit. Now, Mike Osatouye is an Ipman official. He joins the conversation this morning. Mike, once again, thank you for making out time. Yeah, thank you. Good morning. Can you quickly take us through Nigerians, what the plan of Ipman is, this proposal, how does that stop or mitigate the effect of subsidy removal? Yeah, thank you. Good morning once again. Do you know that when the movement comes to me, then you see the price will go up. As of now, good price randomly to be up about it. I'm never trying that one to template. It is going to be answered on a later. And everywhere that we have options, we have gas, we have all done. So the government can, or the government can, empower some members, patients to install a CND and get patients that can be adopted to the, I mean, to very good. And it's cheaper, it's cleaner, and we are fit. We are going to have to support it yet. So that's a lot to know that we are population. And not that we are the SDP. So we're not going to be building in this region to get it. So it might be, the government said that we can use our CND that will follow the vehicle. And we can also use the CND also, to provide the help. So we have a lot of stuff to use on gas. Mike, if you can hear me, we seem not to have a smooth connection from your end. I would also advise if you can just, you know, move a little bit to the left and the right, you know how the network can be sometimes. So we can have a better reception. It's poor, and we can barely make sense of what you're saying. But if you can still hear me hoping that you're able to move to the right or your left, I'm asking that you should take us through how that can cushion the effect of, you know, the subsidy removal, because you're going to, I mean, your association is saying that this is actually the best way. You know, this is the way out. So can you quickly take us through the how? How, you know, is that going to happen? Show us and tell us, you know, in real time. We have the stations. Can you hear me now? Mike, can you hear me? Yeah, I hear you. So I'm asking that how is this going to solve the problem of, you know, the effects of subsidy removal? We know that the prices of petrol would go up. We can't for sure say how much petrol we'll be selling for. Some people have pegged it at 500 or this is saying it probably might be selling for 750 an hour per litre or this is saying 800. But your, you know, Ipman's position is that these would help mitigate the effect of, you know, the removal. So again, so that the CBN can grant you these funds, what, how is this going to happen? Can you take us through, you know, the how? Yeah, what I'm saying is that they might not have the chance to do like both right here at the band area and if they can you support CNG, it can be a story, you know, the stations. CNG is going to present you a gap, which is an option to feed the vehicles and this also can be used for generating the fuel. So since we have the stations and if this isn't going to be a story, vehicles can drive you to let the unknown petrol and fuel up and go. So the gas is on and it's clean now. And in general, we have gas in a boat that can last us about two or three years. So we are proposing an option for the municipal government so that this will mitigate the increase in price of petrol while subsidies will move. Well, so what level is Ipman on at this point in time? In terms of the stage, you're talking about 30,000 dispenser gas station. What's the level that Ipman is on now? What's the stage? Yeah, we have a panel and we already have the support of the government so that we have the support of the government. So we start for us to get the government that's on. I mean, so I'm also saying, you know, with the federal government and the funds, the letter that has been put out, where exactly are you at talking stage? Have you moved? What's the response from the government? Well, we have the support of the government. We have the station. So, I mean, you were saying that you have been in touch with the federal government. I'll find out for this project. And I cannot make you the comment later. So, what's the progress? Well, we're waiting for that comment, but we believe that the response is very different. What we have to do at this point is just quickly take a short break. We hope that that would last for a minute or two. So we're able to have a smooth connection and not able to make sense of all that you're saying. Unfortunately, please stay with us. Well, so we have been reconnected with Mike Osatouye. Thank you so much for being with us, Ip Man official. Yes. Well, so quickly now, can you bring us up to speed with, you know, the progress that Ip Man has made in terms of these gas dispensers, about 30,000 of them. And, you know, where you are now, asking for funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria. You know that this project, which we need the support of the government, that's why we are willing to renew some finance and proceed the efforts, I mean, for support. So, I need our support to the government to bring down the price of petrol. I mean, it's a more function than a gas dispenser because they're going to get the super. And you know, gas is clean now. And if we get the fuel in our state, vehicles took out and driving and free up. And we can also use gas for our generator in the house when it's being compacted. So, all these options are available, which we would, you know, in reducing the burden on the budget in terms of pricing. So, we'll just let it, you know, go at this point in time. You also have those who are associated with you. A bit of them were saying that, you know, the federal government should go ahead and suspend the removal of subsidy. Is that also the position of Ipman? No, no, no, no. We are the support of Ipman's subsidy. We are great on it, but at the same time, we are also providing people to link this in price by installing NG equipment in our stations so that people can have access to the gas. And you know, gas, gas is about about that. The local gas is also great here. We have it. We are number nine in the whole world. And the white and every kind of gas is that. So, let me show you how to do that. Mike, can you hear me? Yes. So, do you think that the central bank or the government would actually heed to your requests? You said you've made progress in terms of engaging the government. Do you see the government responding or the CBN responding in a positive light? I think that's how we should work together on the operational and security environment. Because what matters was the tuition to the increasing price of control when the movement comes in. So, we have to sit down. And I don't just say that once we are out, and we are now coming up with this function so that we can work. I know we have the special measure why. So, I'm not talking of using a new station. It's just to explore the government and fill out so that that's a very fast option to reduce the burden on the masses. Because I thought there was a lot of gas for the expensive part. Down petrol. Mike, we have to go now. Thank you so much for making our time to be with us. We definitely have this conversation in the coming days as we inch closer to the date of the removal of petrol subsidy. And let's see what happens. If your association is saying that you have a solution to help cushion the effect, then let's see how that pans out. Thank you so much this evening. Well, we have been speaking with Mike Osatuye, who is the national controller of IPMEN, right here in Ligas. Thank you once again for being part of the show. We take a break and when we return, we shift our attention to security votes and the fact that governors probably might just be under a lot of pressure at this point in time over the recent measures that has been taken by the government to ensure management of these security votes that are not, there's no constitutional provision for it. Stay with us.