Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has called for the installation of oil and gas facilities in the State.
The Governor who made the call when the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva paid him a visit in Government House Uyo said this was necessary due to the State’s strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea. The Minister was accompanied by members of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Akwa Ibom State accounts for between 35 to 40 percent of Nigeria’s oil and gas output but surprisingly the State has no petroleum depot to show for its contributions to the country’s oil revenue.
Governor Emmanuel believes that complete deregulation of the oil and gas industry is important in creating jobs and rapid growth of the country’s economy. He also stressed the need for partnership on modular refineries.
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Sylva while appreciating the peace and development of the State which influenced its choice as venue for the retreat of the Board of the national oil company stated that the Federal Government was fully committed to the rehabilitation of the country’s refineries as work would soon commence.
The Minister and members of the board of the NNPC are in the State to strategise on key issues and developments in the oil and gas sector.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)