FG to strengthen marine petroleum operations industry
By Uthman Salami
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said that the Federal Government is working on strengthening strategies that would transform the country into Bunkering hub in Africa.
The DPR said that Nigeria would soon, through improved Marine Petroleum Retail Operations (MAPPRO), become Africa’s MAPPRO hub otherwise known as “Bunkering.”
The Government knowing the importance of the petroleum and maritime sectors to the economy is stepping up efforts to synergize their operations.
The DPR’s Director, Sarki Auwalu, confirmed the initiative while delivering the lead paper at the Fourth Valuechain Lecture and Awards on Monday in Abuja.
The lecture which was titled: ‘Enhancing Effective Synergy Between Oil and Gas and Maritime Sectors for a Greater Value Creation.
Auwalu said, “Significantly, the DPR has enhanced MAPPRO popularly known as “Bunkering.” This measure is to ensure that Nigeria becomes the principal MAPPRO hub in the region.
“To this end, an international Bunkering conference will be held in the coming weeks to showcase Nigeria’s capacity and capabilities in this respect as well as attract investments and partnerships from across the world.
“Engagements and collaborations with all relevant stakeholders in top gear to make this intentional conference a landmark event that puts Nigeria on the global map for marine products retail.”
Auwalu said that the maritime and oil and gas industry share collaboration, but they also face similar risks and threats in the foreseeable future which includes geopolitical tension, cyber-attacks, crude oil price, decarbonisation, climate-change adaptation, global economic crisis and piracy/theft.
He said, “However, with effective synergy and collaboration, both industries can surmount these challenges and turn them to opportunities for our common good and the health of the national economy.”
Auwalu noted that the recently commissioned Nigeria Oil and Gas Excellence Center (NOGEC) by President Muhammadu Buhari provides Search Rescue and Surveillance Coordination Centre for Oil and Gas Industry which the maritime industry could leverage.
He added that DPR has deployed the Crude Oil and LNG Tracking to Final Destination (COLT) platform, which complements the National Production Monitoring System (NPMS), to ensure that all petroleum cargoes from the nation’s shores are monitored and effectively tracked.
In his words, “This Platform provides credible data for surveillance, security monitoring, product accounting and international trade relationships.
“The platform is also providing a lever for Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) programme and simplifies the obtainment of an Exit Summary Number (ESN) for any shipment.
“Furthermore, DPR shares vital intelligence with relevant agencies of government to ensure maritime safety and economic wellbeing.”
The DPR boss said that the Federal Government was putting policies and programmes in place designed to position the Nigerian oil and gas sector regionally and in the global arena notably the Refinery Revolution and Decade of Gas initiative.
Auwalu emphasised that the efforts of the both sectors must be geared towards increased in-country utilisation of petroleum to drive Industrialisation, job creation, poverty eradication and additional contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
