FG to float 6 modular refineries in Niger Delta – Buhari’s Aide

FG to float 6 modular refineries in Niger Delta – Buhari’s Aide

The Federal Government (FG) has concluded  plans to establish no fewer than six modular refineries in the Niger Delta region

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Edobor Iyamu, who disclosed this said the six modular refineries already licensed by the Federal Government would soon commence operations in Rivers, Imo, Bayelsa, Delta,and Akwa Ibom states

 Iyamu disclosed this at a forum entitled: Dialogue on Critically Appraising Mechanisms Used To Transfer Benefits of Resource Extraction to the Niger Delta Region, held  in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital on Tuesday

He explained that the establishment of the refineries was a deliberate efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration  to grow local content in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy.

The Presidential Aide added that in a bid to ensure that Niger Delta Region benefits from the opportunities that accrue from oil exploration, the federal government had kept it’s word by ensuring that the refineries were not only given licenses but also encouraged to begin production.

He said that the present federal government has put conducive environment for investors to open modular refineries in the country.

According to him, government has approved zero duties to investors on modular refinery equipment.

“Let us not forget that in previous administration, 35 modular licenses were issued but nobody did anything about it.

“The licenses were issued and people just put the license in their suitcases. Why? Because they were benefiting from the era of petroleum subsidy.

“I was going to say also that because of the policy of this government which is zero duties, it has encouraged a lot of investors into the space

‘So, today as I said we have six modular refineries, and I have been there myself, not talking about things I read or saw from newspapers.

“I went there physically to inspect the modular refineries,” Iyamu said.

Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, member of the Nigeria Extractive Industries and Transparent Initiative Expert Advisory Panel said that various framework and mechanism to bring benefits to the region could not succeed if trust was not built through engagement between the government, oil companies and the communities.

He noted that harmony could be created in the region and benefits derived if opportunities were created for people of the area to participate in the process of production.

According to him, this will help to improve the economy of the communities.

Dr Chris Onosode of Stakeholders Democratic Network, appealed to government and oil companies to work towards minimizing the negative impact of oil exploration in the region.

Programme Coordinator of the Nigeria Natural Resources Charter (NNRC), Miss. Tengi George-Ikoli advised people of the region to hold government accountable for how the oil and gas resources are managed to ensure that communities enjoy benefits from the resources.