January 19, 2010 12:15PM
As part of efforts to transform the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, the federal government has organised a bilateral capacity building workshop between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Participants in the workshop titled, “Nigeria/UK Government Energy Bilateral Capacity Building Support for the Oil and Gas sector Reforms,” which started in Abuja on Monday, were asked to acquire the necessary skills to drive and deliver the objectives of the oil and gas sector reform.
In his opening address at workshop, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Rilwanu Lukman, said the programme was very timely considering the ongoing reform in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Industry challenges
Mr. Lukman disclosed that the idea for the programme was muted in 2008, with the UK Secretary for Energy, during which issues and challenges related to the industry were discussed.
“It was there that the decision to foster a strong bilateral relationship between our two countries to address these challenges was reached,” he said.
“Further meetings by focus groups identified major areas for collaboration including the ongoing transformation process in the Nigerian oil industry and the climate change Initiative.”
Mr. Lukman said that the successful transformation of the British oil and gas industry, from a largely government-owned industry to a privately controlled industry, offers significant learning and benchmarking lessons for Nigeria’s transformation process.
He also noted that Britain’s support “Will go a long way to accelerate and sustain the success of the transformation process.”
Bilateral trade
Statistics posted on the website of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, showed that the volume of bilateral trade between Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) stood at £2.7 billion in the last quarter of 2009.
UK export to Nigeria stood at £1.3 billion last year. The amount is almost totally covered by oil exports of over £200 million, much of which returns as refined petroleum products, amounting to £129 million.
According to the chamber, “Nigeria has strong historical, language and constitutional ties with the UK. Nigeria is the UK’s 32nd largest overseas market and 2nd largest African market for goods.”
Supporting transformation
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bob Dewar, who was represented by Peter West, said UK is committed to the provision of technical expertise for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector, in view of the importance it attaches its bilateral relation with Nigeria.
He commended the Federal Government’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in the transformation process.
Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, said that Nigeria had always had a constructive bilateral relationship with the British Commission.
The week-long training programme will focus on regulation and related processes.
Source: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Money/Business/5513718-147/story.csp
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