From Saka Bolaji, Minna
Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has tasked stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to proffer pragmatic solutions that will end crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other challenges facing the sector.
He gave the charge when he declared open a three-day workshop with the theme, “Global Trend and Security Challenges in the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria” organised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Minna.
He said that the workshop was an opportunity for stakeholders to address the ongoing incessant pipeline vandalism, oil theft, poor policy implementation, professional knowledge gas and low capacity building.
The governor said: “I want to believe that at the end of the workshop you will come up with pragmatic solutions to end the oil theft, pipeline vandalism and proliferation of illegal refineries so that the nation can return and maintain its position as Africa’s leading gas and oil producer.
“The onus is on all of us to show support to the President’s efforts in reforming the oil and gas sector. We should explore our opportunities in revenue potentials of the country.
“We should utilize the gas potentials that we have and what we are missing in the oil sector can be achieved through the expanded earning from the gas sector. We must take a cue from the developed countries.”
President of the association, Mr. Francis Johnson, decried the recent attacks by the Niger Delta Militants on some oil installations and the occupation of Chevron by host communities, adding the attacks had forced the evacuation of workers from the company’s installations.
He appealed to the militant to embrace Federal Government peaceful resolution for the growth and development of the country.
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