DPR lauds indigenous role in oil industry development

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has lauded the giant strides made by West African Exhibitions and Conferences (WAECON) in bridging the gap between local and international key industry players, and organising networking sessions for the continued development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

In its endorsement of the forthcoming fourth Upstream & Downstream (U&D) oil and gas exhibition, the industry regulatory agency was particularly pleased with the fact that for the past four years the event had been successfully organised by a wholly indigenous company, WAECON.

In a statement signed on behalf of the director of the agency by Patience Maseli, the agency noted that this laudable initiative and effort by the indigenous firm was worthy of commendation and that informed the endorsement of the event in line with the Nigerian Local Content Act of 2010.

The statement further stated that “it expects oil and gas operators in the upstream and downstream sectors to fully participate in the upcoming conference so as to sustain the growth of the industry.”

While urging the organisers to build on the success that has been achieved so far, the statement added that it was only by so doing that more international investors could be attracted to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Kune Igoni, director of events, WAECON, said: “We are indeed very happy about the endorsement by DPR. This once again reaffirms our strong conviction that indigenous firms are able to organise major events in the industry successfully like their foreign counterparts are doing, and perhaps even better. Before we came on board, most events in the oil and gas industry were organised by foreign event management outfits. It used to be their exclusive preserves as they were enjoying the franchise.”

He said with their foray into the business of event management four years ago, they had made considerable effort to demystify the myth that major events in the oil and gas industry could only be organised successfully by foreign organisers.

In continuation of recognising companies and individuals who have contributed to the development of the hydrocarbon industry in Nigeria, the 2014 Award segment ceremony is part of the welcome ceremonies of the Upstream & Downstream Exhibition and Conference at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, from August 26 to 28, 2014, Igoni said.

The upstream and downstream oil and gas exhibition and conference is the largest indigenous international oil and gas show in Nigeria targeted at all key players in the oil and gas sector around the world to synergise on policies, technologies and innovations with the institution to move the sector to the next level.

Now in its fourth year, the event this year is expected to attract more than 1000 international exhibitors, conference delegates and visitors from the EU, USA, China, and other regions.

FEMI ASU