₦airaland Forum

The Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, on Thursday urged the government of Anambra to build its proposed refinery in the state to actualise its petroleum potentials. Uba told NAN in Nnewi, Anambra that no commercial gain had been made from the petroleum potentials of the state because the sector had not been positioned to maximise the benefits. He said that apart from the low production of crude in the state, the prerequisite structure to commercialise production were lacking due to undeveloped products transportation system. Uba said that a top up refinery should be built to give the state an edge in the industry as well as serve the petroleum needs of the state. He pointed out that the state presently did not have access to the export routes and as such could not play competitively in the industry. Uba said such bold steps at the state level could help in achieving national self-sustainability and stability in the oil and gas demand and supply.

“For now, our output is low and we cannot compare ourselves with the commercial producing states and our external export lines, that is, waterways to move our crudes outside the country are not there. “So we cannot export because the river to berth vessels is not there now and we cannot join the consolidation of crude like Escravos that serves as national grid for producers. “Since these structures have not been developed, what Anambra needs now is to strategise so that it maximises what is available,” he said. Uba said that the state could achieve that if it built a top up refinery to internally refine its crude and make itself attractive to other states. “To become a competitive player in the industry, the state must create an advantage like having a refinery; it is possible for a state to build if the person in power has the right attitude. “I believe that Gov. Willie Obiano can do it but it depends on his advisers and the advice they give him,” he said. On the dispute and occasional conflicts between Anambra, Enugu and Kogi on the oil belt which bordered the states, the marketer said dialogue should be employed in resolving the matter. He urged sincerity on the part of the interested parties and recommended a robust and peaceful conflict resolution approach.

“For me there is no problem without solution. What is important is for the states to have a formidable conflict resolution team and the crisis will be resolved. “Dialogue and maturity are important in leadership and getting the right people from both sides to a roundtable with sincerity will just be enough. “Issues like that have come up in the past and they were amicably resolved,” he said. The state was declared an oil producing state on Aug. 30, 2012 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

DankemzI:
Very Good, I wonder what Kaduna is doing Refinery?
When Akwa Ibom has much oil and no Refinery