By Miriam Humbe
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has said that the Ministry would ensure the country’s abundant gas resources was exploited, developed and used for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The Minister gave the assurance when he received the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Deputy Director ( Press and Public Relations) in the Ministry, Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa (Mrs.), revealed this in a statement signed on Thursday.
Ekpo said that, he was happy to note that Akwa Ibom State Government was interested in the development of gas resources and noted 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.
Ekpo said: “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”.
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 commended 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 the State Governments in the development of Gas Infrastructures.
The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno said that Akwa Ibom State had the largest deposit of gas resources in Nigeria, and the State was ready to partner with the Ministry to drive the investment opportunities that abound in the State for economic development.
Governor Eno said: “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 said the State had the required human capacity, necessary infrastructures and government that was willing to work with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to actualize the vision and mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the gas sector.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella said that he was impressed with the synergy that existed between the state Government and the Minister and the level of infrastructural development in the State which was 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.
High-point of the visit was the presentation of souvenir to the Governor by the Minister.
