By Stella Odueme
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) Rt. Ekperikpe Ekpo has stated that his ministry would ensure country’s abundant gas resources is exploited, developed and used for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The Minister gave the assurance when he received in audience, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in his office on Thursday in Abuja.
Ekpo expressed joy that Akwa Ibom State Government is interested in the development of gas resources in the state, saying that if the gas resources available in all states were utilized, power plants, industries and ailing industries would come alive while some industries that had relocated to other countries would return to Nigeria.
The Minister promised to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State government to develop the gas resources in the state and all over the country.
“Gas development is the way to go all over the world and I promise to work with your government to develop the gas resources in Akwa Ibom State and all over the country,.” he stated.
The minister informed the delegation that he would be visiting the state to perform the ground breaking ceremony for a Gas Hub at Ibaka Deep Sea Port very soon.
He commmended the Governor for the ongoing infrastructural development in the state and promised that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources would continue to work hard and support State Governments in the development of Gas Infrastructures.
Governor Pastor Bassey Eno noted that Akwa Ibom State has the largest deposit of gas resources in Nigeria, and that the state was ready to partner with the ministry to drive investment opportunities that abound in the state for economic development.
“Akwa Ibom has one of the largest deposits of gas in Nigeria, we have come to partner with you because we want to drive investments into Akwa Ibom gas sector” the Governor stated.
The Governor said his state has the required human capacity, necessary infrastructures and government that is willing to work with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to actualize the vision and mandate of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the gas sector.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella noted that he was impresed with the synergy that existed between the state Government and the minister as well as the level of infrastructural development in the state which is worthy of emulation.
The Permanent Secretary, Directors and members of Staff of the Ministry accompanied the Minister in receiving Governor Umo Bassey Eno and his team.
The high-point of the visit was the presentation of souvenir to the Governor by the minister.
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