By Stella Odueme
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has stated that the ministry of Petroleum Resources was strategically positioned and had a special mandate to support industry players and investors in the oil and gas sector to succeed and grow the nation’s economy.
Sen. Lokpobiri made the statement when the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council led by its Board of Trustee (BOT) Chairman, Emeka Ene paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
A statement on Tuesday by Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations), Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa said Lokpobiri pointed out that more attention should be given to the oil sector in order to increase investment and revenue generation.
The minister noted that the country was poised to surpass her projected 2000 barrels per day production capacity and this, he said could be made possible through the collaboration and involvement of organisations like SPE Nigeria Council.
“As a ministry, our focus is to collaborate with your council and other stakeholders to grow our economy,” he stated.
Lokpobiri informed his visitors that lots of opportunities abound to explore in the oil sector and that one simple way of increasing foreign exchange earnings for the nation is to increase crude oil production.
The minister assured the Council to count on his unflinching support and promised to grace its forthcoming Conference and Exhibition event.
Earlier in his presentation, the Chairman, 2024 SPE
Nigeria Council, Salahuddeen M. Tahir informed the Minister that SPE brings people from all over the world together under one platform for the petroleum industry.
He stated that SPE is a professional body that gives out a lot to its members like technical and soft skills, provides access to world-class and timely knowledge of relevant technologies.
“It enables the members to have fantastic careers and make friends with amazing people all around the world amongst other benefits.
He said the Council visited the minister to sollicit his support and invite him to the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2024) scheduled to take place from 5th- 7th August, 2024 in Lagos.
The delegation also presented the programmes and activities of the Council to the minister.
