By Sodiq Adelakun
At the 8th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) held at Eko Hotel, the Honourable Minister of State for Gas Resources, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, underscored the critical role of private sector collaboration in the development of Nigeria’s energy resources.
The Minister, represented by the Director of Gas, Mrs. Komolafe Oluremi, emphasised the need for joint efforts, knowledge sharing, and commitment from industry players, highlighting the government’s role in formulating the right policies and fostering an environment conducive to business growth.
During the conference, the Minister pointed to the anticipated commencement of significant infrastructure projects, such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, and the proposed expansion of the Lagos-Calabar pipeline extending to Morocco and further into Europe.
He urged for support of existing government initiatives, noting the vast demand for energy within Nigeria and the capacity of the sector to accommodate multiple stakeholders.
In his words: “The responsibility of developing our energy resources must not depend on the government alone, it calls for collaboration, knowledge sharing and commitment for the part of the private sector industry players as long as they make the right policies and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“As we anticipate the kickstart of infrastructure such as AKK, and the expansion of the Escravos-Lagos pipeline to Morocco and further to Europe, we call for collaboration to support existing government initiatives, there is big demand for that in Nigeria and the sector is large enough to accommodate everyone.”
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources expressed a warm welcome to high-impact ventures and partnerships that could bridge the gap between the high demand for gas and the underdevelopment of the country’s substantial natural gas reserves.
In his address, the Minister lauded the organizers for their role in fostering idea exchange and collaboration among African oil and gas traders.
He further stressed the importance of partnerships that will contribute to achieving national objectives for domestic gas utilisation and export.
In a related development, the Minister of State for Steel Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, highlighted his ministry’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s metallurgical and steel sectors.
Through a series of transformative initiatives, the Minister expressed ways to stimulate economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
“A key component of this strategy is the National Metallurgical Training Institute (NMTI), which provides specialized training programs to equip Nigerians with the necessary skills and expertise for the oil and gas industry.
“The institution provides industry specific training programmes, equipping Nigerians with skills and expertise needed in the oil and gas sector, from welding and fabrication. They contribute their knowledge to the oil and gas sector in the country.
“This initiative is expected to enhance the country’s industrial capabilities and support the broader goals of energy resource development,” he emphasised.
He stressed the industry is open to active collaboration and knowledge sharing needed by the petroleum industry by fostering sustainable economic growth.