Abia, PETAN parley on establishing oil refinery
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
The Governor, Dr Alex Otti says the proposal by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) to establish an Oil refinery in the state would be given positive attention.
Governor Otti gave the assurance when he received, in audience, a delegation of PETAN, led by its Chairman, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, which was in the state to explore the possibility of establishing an Oil refinery in Abia.
The Governor promised that the state’s team would engage with PETAN to see how they can partner in a joint venture to realize the project.
“I will like to inform you that we are willing to work with you, we will see how we can partner. We take our partnership very seriously and I want to thank you for identifying us as one of the first states, the Governor said.”
The Governor further told the delegation that Abia has a lot of unidentified assets yet beyond Ukwa West, adding that there were other areas yet to be explored, even beyond oil and gas.
“We have some assets that have been identified beyond Ukwa West.
Oil activities today in Abia are centered around Ukwa West and I have it on good authority that other areas of the state that have reserves that could be harnessed.
“And by the time we have serious players, you begin to explore some of these places around Umunneochi and a few others. I will like to inform you that we are willing to work with you, we will see how we can partner, we take our partnership very seriously and I want to thank you for identifying us as one of the first states.
“If there is any support you need, do not hesitate to reach out to us
I would like to give you timeline, so that we won’t just be talking. I would like to be briefed every fortnight on how we are doing,” the Governor said.
Also Speaking, the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, expressed hope that the opportunity would take the state to another level, as there were about 100 capped Oil wells yet to be tapped, adding that if realized, Abia would be among the top oil players in the world.
Earlier, the Leader of the delegation and Chairman of PETAN, Wole Ogunsanya said their visit was to see how best to support the state to realize its full potential in the oil sector.
“We have engaged in discussions with the government on having a refinery in the state which would serve the state and neighboring states. This is the first state where we would be executing this programme/project.
“We have a programme that the association desires to use in supporting the state, using the resources that the state has on ground.
“We own the equipment that would find the oil and bring it out of the ground. This would make the work easy for us,” the PETAN leader said.
He said that PETAN was an indigenous company providing oil and gas services that was willing to collaborate with the Abia State government in establishing a refinery to serve neighbouring states, adding that the association has all it takes to develop the Oil and Gas sector of the state.
According to him, Abia would be the first state to benefit from the proposed joint venture model which promises to increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, attract foreign direct investment and create employment opportunities.
