Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has insisted that Akwa Ibom State sitting on 25% of Nigeria’s oil and gas reserve, deserves at least a petroleum depot to strengthen its economy and open up job opportunities for the youths.
He has also maintained that Akwa Ibom is strategically positioned in the Gulf of Guinea, and as such airlines should have no reason going to other West African countries to refuel or service their aircraft if the Federal government partners with the state for its rich natural potentials to be effectively utilized.
Government Udom made the call when a delegation the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva led the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) visited him in Uyo, the state capital.
He also advocated that unbundling the oil and gas sector would increase job opportunities and the rapid growth of the country’s economy.
He described the choice of Uyo as significant, explaining that with the developments at the Victor Attah International Airport, the 21 storey smart building, excellent security, a good network of roads and other infrastructure, the state has been repositioned for a strategic role as a logistic center of the oil and gas sector.
“The new terminal building we are currently constructing has the latest technology and intelligence facilities and when completed, will rank the best seen anywhere in West Africa.”
Harping on the need for the partnership for modular refineries, he noted that “modular refineries or petrochemicals should be totally liberated from whatever could be the bottlenecks to create more job opportunities and stimulate a whole lot of economic activities.”
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He appealed to the Petroleum Resources management team to look into the vast untapped opportunities in the oil and gas sector with a view to unbundling it for job and wealth creation.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and leader of the delegation, Timipre Sylva had explained the choice of Akwa Ibom for their retreat saying it was because of the peaceful, scenic environments and rich cultural heritage of the people.
Sylva, who described Akwa Ibom as his second home, being an inlaw of the state, commended the Governor and his people for the peace and developments o far recorded.
He said the federal government was committed to revamping the refineries in-country and assured that work on the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery would commence very soon.
“The team and I went to River State to look at the Port Harcourt refinery, we have promised this country that we will rehabilitate at least one of these refineries within the shortest possible time.
“We visited the Port Harcourt refinery because the programme rehabilitation is about to begin and we hope that work on Port Harcourt refinery will start first quarter next year”, he added.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor and people of the state for the warm reception accorded him and the board members on their arrival in the state.
Gov Emmanuel leads citizens in thanksgiving as Akwa Ibom turns 33
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