From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government has restated its commitment towards creating an enabling environment that would attract more investments to the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy.
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri stated this in his address to a delegation from Schlumberger (SLB) Limited, led by the Global Chief Executive Officer, Olivier Le Peuch, yesterday in Abuja.
He remarked that one of the cardinal objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was to unlock the potential in the oil and gas sector so that we would be able to harness the benefits of huge deposits that we have.
Lokpobiri, in a statement yesterday by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, said: “I want to assure you that this new government that is led by a man who is a tested business man is willing to do things differently, and we the foot soldiers can’t do anything less”, he added.
He also assured the world that the Federal Government was focusing on creating the best environment for investment to return for the benefit of Nigerians and for the benefits of those companies that have always invested in Nigeria.
He also emphasized that, “We know in Nigeria that the quickest way out of our economic problems is through the oil and gas sector. Our objective is to see how we can work with you to grow investment in the sector, increase production so that we can get more revenue to cater for the 230 million Nigerians that are in dire need of basic infrastructures”
He noted that SLB had a long standing history with Nigeria.
“You have been in Nigeria for 71 years. If you have been in an environment for 71 years, there is no way you wouldn’t have made significant impact in that environment.
“The story of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry can’t be complete without SLB. SLB has played a very strategic role thus far. Our journey for the past 70 years, from 1958 when oil was found in commercial quantity in Oloibiri in the Niger Delta, SLB has played a very strategic role” the Minister noted.
He further assured his guests of the government’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Schlumberger that has lasted for the past 71 years.
“When I became Minister, one of the first issues that I had to contend with was how we could rebuild the confidence of the world that Nigeria is ready for investment. I believe that your visit to Nigeria today is a testament to the fact that the confidence is coming back.
“I am very happy that you took time to visit Nigeria. This is a good message to the world that we as a Ministry that is in charge of policies are creating the enabling environment for investment to return, and it’s already gaining the momentum that is desired.
“There is a new sheriff in town that is determined to do things differently”, he added.
In his remarks, Olivier Le Peuch, assurance the minister that they were ready to work and partner with the government.
“We are ready to contribute to the change that you are willing to put in place to facilitate investment in the oil and gas sector,” he said
On his part, the President, Offshore Atlantic, Wallace Pescarini, said they were in Nigeria to assist and partner in the development of the oil and gas sector.