Export-oriented industry: SNGPL assures Aptma of taking steps for continuous supply

LAHORE: Managing Director Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) Syed Ali Javaid Hamdani has assured All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) of taking immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to export oriented industry and to take action against delinquent officials resorting to disconnection of gas connections or issuing frivolous notices to the mills on different lame excuses and pretexts.

He was talking to a delegation of Aptma led by Adil Bashir, central chairman, including Abdul Rahim Nasir, chairman North, Amir Sh, senior vice chairman, Kamran Arshad, vice chairman and Raza Baqir, Executive Director Aptma.

MD SNGPL has also taken strong notice of intentional delay in the implementation of court orders by some regional offices of SNGPL and assured of immediate restoration of gas supply connection in compliance with the court orders.

He took serious view of frivolous notices issued to mills and instructed his staff to look into the reasons behind the issuance of notices to Aptma member mills despite consuming less than the sanctioned load.

MD said SNGPL would develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to expeditiously settle complaints of the Aptma members. He added that SNGPL would associate the private sector in resolution of their energy related issues. In this regard he announced formation of a Resolution committee consisting of Wajiha Anwar, General Manager from SNGPL and Raza Baqir from Aptma to examine and settle all matters amicably without resorting to any coercive measures by SNGPL.

Speaking on the occasion, Aptma central Chairman Adil Bashir urged MD SNGPL to ensure an uninterrupted supply of gas at normal pressure to the export industry and enable it to create additional jobs, attract new investment, and uplift exports of the country.

He also took up the issue of extension of load applications filed by the industry to SNGPL and stressed upon adopting expeditious measures for processing of all such applications as well as the applications for change of gas connection from Industrial to Captive.

He added that enforcing condition of National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Agency (NEECA) audit for processing load extension applications was unwarranted especially when NEECA audit has already been stayed by the Honourable High Court. MD SNGPL assured to look into the matter sympathetically and find an amicable solution of the problem.

Abdul Rahim Nasir appreciated the positive response of the management of SNGPL and particularly lauded the services and efforts being made by the MD for reforming the organization into a business-friendly entity.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021