Governors of the 36 States of the Federation have endorsed the reforms introduced into the oil and gas sector by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.
The governors’ action came at a time cabals in the sector are plotting to ensure the minister’s removal from office.
The governors’ goodwill was conveyed to Kachikwu on Thursday in Abuja by the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari.
Yari, who led a team of governors to the NNPC Towers to meet Kachikwu, expressed the NGF’s confidence in his ability to lead the corporation and the entire oil and gas industry in the interest of all Nigerians.
The governors expressed delight in the ongoing reforms in the NNPC, stating that their visit indicated the level of confidence the forum has in the minister.
He said: “What we are seeing is not the 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,” Yari said.
He assured Kachikwu that the NGF would support NNPC’s plan to build new mega filling stations in every senatorial district across the country to expand its retail drive.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market has made an inroad into Europe as a visiting German trade delegation yesterday indicated the country’s interest in Nigeria’s gas supply.
This followed the quest by Germany and other European industrial powers to drastically reduce carbon dioxide (C02) emissions arising from heavy industrial operations with the LNG by far friendlier to the environment.
During a visit to Kachikwu at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, head of the German business contingent and Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Mr. Uwe Beckmeyer, said the country was seeking the development of a business relationship to accelerate the supply of LNG, especially in its ship-building industry.
In a statement made available to The AUTHORITY, the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, quoted Beckmeyer as saying: “We have a lot of interest in LNG and I think this is one special thing we should develop in the next few years.”
Beckmeyer, who is also a member of the German Parliament, added: “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.”
In his response, Kachikwu said the oil and gas industry was ready for the improved business relationship expressed by the German trade team, as the Federal Government was already working with other relevant stakeholders to activate the LNG Trains 7, to accommodate potential off-takers from new markets.