.Nigeria’s quest to expand its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market into
Europe received a major boost on Thursday as a visiting German trade
delegation indicated the country’s burgeoning desire for Nigeria’s gas
supply.
Leading a large contingent of German business concerns on a visit to the
Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu at
the NNPC Towers, Vice Minister for Economic Affairs & Energy and Member of
the German Parliament, Mr. Uwe Beckmeyer, said the country was seeking
development of business relationship to accelerate the supply of LNG
especially in the country’s ship building industry.
According to Mr. Beckmeyer, Nigeria’s LNG would come in handy as the
country and other European industrial powers seek to cut down drastically
on Carbon dioxide (C02) emissions arising from heavy industrial operations
since LNG is far friendlier to the environment.
“We have a lot of interest in LNG and I think this is one special thing
we should develop in the next few years. I think there is increasing
demand in Europe especially as we seek to reduce emissions. It is useful
for both sides to develop this special business relationship,’’ the German
Vice-Minister stated.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Kachikwu said that the oil and gas industry
was ready to embrace the interest for improved business relationship
expressed by the German trade delegation noting that the Federal
Government is working assiduously with other relevant stakeholders to
ensure activation of LNG Trains 7 which would help accommodate potential
off-takers from new markets.
Meanwhile State Governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors Forum
have expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Honourable
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of
the NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of
the NGF, Mallam Abdulaziz Yari, who led a team of governors to the NNPC
Towers on Thursday, expressed confidence in the ability of Dr. Kachikwu to
lead the NNPC and the oil and gas industry to the desired levels.
Expressing delight in the ongoing reforms in the NNPC, Mallam Yari stated
that the visit of the governors to the NNPC Towers was indicative of the
level of confidence the NGF has in Dr. Kachikwu.
“What we are seeing is not NNPC of yesterday, you can see for yourself
the change we are talking about. In the last eight years you have not seen
a group of governors coming to NNPC to find out what is going on as
critical stakeholders. So you can see the change we are talking about,’’
he said.
On the ongoing plans by the Corporation to build new mega fuel station in
every senatorial district across the country, the NGF Chairman pledged the
readiness of members to support the NNPC Retail expansion drive in their
respective states.
“We are happy with his performance, in fact when he made a presentation
to the forum earlier, we told him we are going to support him as a forum
and also take him to Mr. President to campaign for him to be given any
support he needs to succeed,’’ he said.