By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of an oil and gas logistic facility in Akwa Ibom in appreciation of the peace it has maintained for the smooth operation of crude oil production.
It has also approved a partnership deal for the siting of a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC depot with a free trade zone to facilitate the operation of the logistics centre.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva stated this at a Gala Night organised by the Akwa Ibom State Government in honour of a delegation of stakeholders in the oil and gas industry that were in the state over the weekend for a major oil and gas sector retreat.
Maintaining that their visit was a response to the Governor’s efforts in maintaining peace and security, Sylva noted that “we want to send a message to the rest of the states, that there is something to be gained in maintaining peace.”
“Few concerns were raised on the choice of Akwa Ibom for our retreat, but politics was not part of the consideration.I have the full support of NNPC to announce to you that we are very interested to partner with you to build a base here. It will be the first here.
“As we go back, work will start in ernest. Mr President has already helped by signing a free trade zone status for that area.We are happy that we came here.We had very fruitful deliberations and we were very satisfied.
He urged the Governor to set up a team to work with the NNPC in drawing up modalities for the collaboration adding that the gesture showed that President Buhari would not play politics with development, hence his initiatives in Akwa Ibom, despite being a PDP state.
Earlier, Emmanuel who expresed appreciation for the planned NNPC oil and gas logistic center for the state disclosed that President Buhari approved a 50,000 hectare oil and gas free trade zone in Akwa Ibom and urged the minister to partner with the state for the 540 megawatts Qua Iboe Power Plant project.
The Governor further used the occasion to urge the relocation of multinational oil giants, ExxonMobil to its host state, saying his administration has done a lot including building a 21 storey intelligence building named Dakkada Towers, and housing estates which could effectively serve the company and its workers.
“We are ready to support their relocation. Mobil is a very difficult corporate citizen but the Minister can give them the directive to come here.They process over 15billion barrel from our shores and that alone should propel them. They don’t have such excellent production anywhere else in the world.” He said.
He also expressed his readiness to provide support ranging from land and electricity, for an NNPC depot in the state.
The Governor who faulted the NBS statistics of unemployment for the state, announced that a car assembling and manufacturing plant and other projects gearing up in the state would generate more employment opportunities for the state.
