The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has charged industry stakeholders to move beyond talk and begin implementing concrete growth strategies.
Addressing a high-level session, Lokpobiri warned that the nation’s energy future depends on a robust upstream sector.
“The time has come to do things differently. The Federal Government has provided the incentives and regulatory adjustments; it is now up to the operators to increase productivity,” the Minister declared.
He emphasized that the upstream segment is the foundation for the entire petroleum value chain, and its success is vital for stabilizing the broader economy.
Lokpobiri also reiterated the government’s commitment to local content, describing it as a tool for indigenous empowerment rather than a move to displace International Oil Companies (IOCs).
He pledged that the government would continue its reform agenda, regardless of opposition, to ensure Nigeria maintains its leadership role in the African energy landscape.