Nigeria may soon start importing fuel from the Republic of Niger as the latter plans to evacuate its excess petroleum products.
Niger Republic’s minister of petroleum, Mr. Foumakoye Gado, is in the country to sign the African Petroleum Producers’ Association (APPA) Statute, which will make Niger become a bonafide member of the association.

Gado told journalists during the signing ceremony yesterday in Abuja that Niger’s present refining capacity is 20,000 barrels of oil per day, out of which the country can only consume 7,000 barrels, an equivalent of 1.113million litres of fuel, while the excess of 13,000 barrels, an equivalent of 2.067million liters of fuel would be exported to Nigeria.

The minister who spoke through an interpreter said, “We currently refine 20,000bpd and we consume only 7,000 barrels leaving an excess of 13,000 barrels. We hope to evacuate the excess to Nigeria. That is the major reason we are here.

He said the country in 2011 signed a contract for the commercialisation of crude production, adding that a feasibility study has been concluded to commence oil exportation which would boost its crude production from the current 20,000bpd to 60,000bpd.

He adding, however, that Niger presently does not have any specific target country for its crude export, but said it would be done according to international standard.

The minister who was accompanied to the event by Niger’s ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Mansourmanan H.D, explained that his country resolved to join APPA, despite being a small oil producing nation, in order to tap into the experience of other member countries and ensure that her oil prospecting is a source of blessing to the country and not a resource curse, based on lessons learnt from other countries.

While noting that the association’s objective will impact on the country’s technical know-how and help build local capacity, Gado said his country will ensure that oil proceed is used to accelerate development. He said the country would begin the construction of its oil export pipeline which will be routed through Cameroon in 2013, after which exportation will commence in 2014 or 2015.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum, Engr. Goni I. Sheikh, who represented the minister of petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, while welcoming Niger to the association, noted that signing the APPA Statute was mandatory for all member countries who wish to benefit fully from oil and gas exploration through the association’s support.

He said the objectives of the association include the promotion of cooperation among member countries in hydrocarbon exploration, promotion of technical assistance, coordination of marketing policies and strategies as well as studying ways of providing assistance to the oil importing African countries to meet their energy requirement.

While expressing optimism that the opportunity will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic, Sheikh added that the association operates a fund which is dedicated to financing studies and projects in the hydrocarbon and energy sector of APPA member countries.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/23056/2012/04/27/nigeria_import_fuel_niger_republic.html

Petrol get smuggled from Nigeria to Niger, Mali Benin etc, but there fuel never get smuggled to Nigeria, and now we are even talking of importation from them which will eventually get smuggled back to them after we have subsidised it!

Is diz a joke or wat?.....somebdy is gettin confused hia

Shame on Nigeria. Corruption and sheer wickedness has made it impossible for us 2 refine and export,we keep importing even from Niger that found crude oil yesterday.

I dont see anything wrong with the importation apart from the subsidy we may pay,
Nigeria has a very big population. I heard atimes there is scarcity of fuel
in northern part of nigeria, it may reduce it. remember when there is much supply
there will be less price.

notin like a good news on a good day..... even without reading the post; i would just say congrats "good-luck"

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Every day you read stories that confirm Nigeria is a banana republic. Yesterday it was the press been bombed,today it's that the 7th largest exporter of crude oil will be importing refined fuel from a backwater nation while Ebele keeps gloating he made TIME's 100 most influential list,releasing I'll fight corruption press statements yet playing chess with corrupt ministers, associates& even adversaries.

We all keep complaining , but refuse to vote the PDP government out.. oh wat a country

na wah oo .which way is this country heading to

The Nigeria oil is gradually shifting base from the creek to Ghana and now to Niger.
It is when the oil finished that our eyes will be clear.

When will Cameroon be exporting BAKASSI fuel to Nigeria?

The end of the world is around the corner, i hope we will soon import electricity from Niger Republic.

Nigeria is getting worse as the second goes by.don't be deceived,naija is not developing o.

WOW! Goodnews

PeterKbaba: We all keep complaining , but refuse to vote the PDP government out.. oh wat a country

does citizen's vote count in naija....if u like vote for APGA it doesn't stop dem frm riggin ...all we nid is revolution wchich I strongly bliv it take place soomeday,anyhow

God help us!!!!

what a country...

You've got to ask yourself who owns the refinery in Niger? I bet its the same Nigerian thieves.

So long PDP (CABAL) is still in power we will continue to go round circle.
Vote for PDP in 2015 and be doomed for another 8 years.

Niger republic must be business wise.

Abeg, tell those our fools in Abuja to please, as a matter of urgency, IMPORT ELECTRICITY too.
God go bless them if them do that one.
As a Nigerian, Why Shall I Shy ?

I have been trying to reconcile this topic with the one just under it on the homepage..

Toaskarity: I dont see anything wrong with the importation apart from the subsidy we may pay,
Nigeria has a very big population. I heard atimes there is scarcity of fuel
in northern part of nigeria, it may reduce it. remember when there is much supply
there will be less price.

Can you imagine the rubbish this mumu is writing above me ?

Who told you Niger has a lower demand to the extent they they would export it to Nigeria ?

What your sort of mentality I don't see Nigeria ever getting better not to even talk of building her own refinery.

Ohh! this is great. Welldone Mr. President, and your transformation agenda.

I think we should just reject this offer if ever we have any modicum of shame in Nigeria. A giant with a clay feet. My heart groans for my dear country.

akinnux: I think we should just reject this offer if ever we have any modicum of shame in Nigeria. A giant with a clay feet. My heart groans for my dear country.

Abeg don't have high blood pressure because of this country. Your heart is your life my brother, just take it easy

It is time for Nigeria youth to rise up to demand d heads of dis useless leader dat are killing dis country, if Niger can start talking abt importing petrolem product to Nigeria.....It is time for Nigeria youth to rise up to demand d heads of dis useless leader dat are killing dis country, if Niger can start talking abt importing petrolem product to Nigeria.....It is time for Nigeria youth to rise up to demand d heads of dis useless leader dat are killing dis country, if Niger can start talking abt importing petrolem product to Nigeria.....

Anybody who still has hope for this country is just decieving his or herself.this country is doomed the way I see it,its just a matter of time.

To be honest it's a big shame to us as nation. To be candid, our leaders have no foresight, wicked and corrupt. Are we making progress? Are we going round in cycles? Immediate gratification is the order of the day! Don't be surprised if we would soon be importing water. This is what happens when people are greedy and selfish. Nigeria blessed but wallowing in abject poverty. For Nigeria to import fuel from Niger is a shame! We have refineries but can't manage. We have money to build new refineries but waste on "irrelevants".

they complain about this government but wont vote them out, i have never seen this kind citizen before o. dundeee

What is Allison still doing as the minister for petroleum?? I'm just sick of this whole nonsense. Niger having more refining capacity for its citizens than Nigeria has

A big Shame on leaders. All they know is collecting jumbo allowances

Why not, anything is possible is possible in Nigeria, the Only country that can hide her late president whereabout, this country is full of Fat.