By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, has described President Muhammad Buhari as an OPEC veteran whose leadership brought together OPEC and 10 non-OPEC oil producing countries at the end of 2016 in a concerted effort to accelerate the rebalancing and stabilisation of the global oil market.
This was even as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has called on the petroleum & gas and maritime sectors to synergise their operations because of their importance to the economy and national development.
In his goodwill message at the Valuechain 4th Annual Lecture and Awards 2021 on Monday, Barkindo recognised the leadership and wise guidance that Nigeria has continued to provide to the Organisation.
Speaking via videoconference, Barkindo noted that Nigeria has played a crucial role in OPEC’s affairs for 50 years.
“It is a momentous day, a transformative date: a golden anniversary for Nigeria and OPEC, and an opportunity to reflect on the shared history and values,” Barkindo stated, in reference to the milestone.
He highlighted that the moment was seminal for both Nigeria and OPEC.
“Over the last five decades, the unique relationship between OPEC and Nigeria has had a multitude of positive accomplishments,” he added.
He also commended Buhari for his tireless contributions and unwavering commitment to the Organisation, its aim and objectives.
Barkindo also noted the leading and positive role demonstrated by the President throughout the consultation and implementation process of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC).
“President Buhari is an OPEC veteran, who has been heavily involved in the Organisation’s affairs for decade. This leadership was clearly on display through the President’s involvement in the DoC, which brought together OPEC and 10 non-OPEC oil producing countries at the end of 2016 in a concerted effort to accelerate the rebalancing and stabilisation of the global oil market,” he said.
In this context, the Secretary General underscored the importance of cooperation and multilateralism in the energy industry to help generate positive developments and create value.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Barkindo noted that the recent passing of the Bill by the National Assembly is important and timely.
He stressed that the PIB aims to help boost competitiveness, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and encourage investment for the benefit of Nigeria’s petroleum sector and its national economy.
Valuechain reports that the date of the lecture and awards event, July 12, coincides with the golden anniversary of Nigeria joining OPEC on the same date in 1971.
To mark Nigeria’s 50 years of OPEC membership, the OPEC Secretariat has produced a special issue of the OPEC Bulletin, which takes a retrospective look at Nigeria’s journey as an OPEC member from 1971 till date.
The Secretariat has also produced a documentary film to mark the occasion.
In his lead speech, the Director/Chief Executive Officer of DPR, Engr. Sarki Auwalu, has hinted that DPR has positioned Nigeria to become the principal Marine Petroleum Products Retail Operations (MAPPRO) hub in the region.
”Significantly, the DPR has enhanced MAPPRO, popularly known as ‘bunkering’. This measure is to ensure that Nigeria becomes the principal MAPPRO hub in the region. To this end, an international Bunkering conference will be held in the coming weeks to showcase Nigeria’s capacity and capabilities in this respect as well as attract investments and partnerships from across the world. Engagements and collaborations with all relevant stakeholders in top gear to make this intentional conference a landmark event that puts Nigeria on the global map for marine products retail,” Auwalu said.
He noted that not only does the maritime and oil and gas industry share collaboration, but they also face similar risks and threats in theforeseeable future.
According to him, this include geopolitical tension, cyber-attacks, crude oil price, decarbonisation, climate-change adaptation, global economic crisis and piracy/theft.
“However, with effective synergy and collaboration, both industries can surmount these challenges and turn them to opportunities for our common good and the health of the national economy,” the director said.
He said the recently commissioned Nigeria Oil and Gas Excellence Center (NOGEC) by President Muhammadu Buhari provides SearchRescue and Surveillance Coordination Centre for Oil and Gas Industry which the maritime industry could leverage.
Auwalu said the DPR has deployed the Crude Oil and LNG Tracking to Final Destination (COLT) platform, which complements the NationalProduction Monitoring System (NPMS), to ensure that all petroleum cargoes from the nation’s shores are monitored and effectively tracked.
“This platform provides credible data for surveillance, security monitoring, product accounting and international trade relationships. The platform is also providing a lever for Advance Cargo Declaration ACD) programme and simplifies the obtainment of an Exit Summary Number (ESN) for any shipment.
”Furthermore, DPR shares vital intelligence with relevant agencies of government to ensure maritime safety and economic wellbeing.”
Auwalu said the Federal Government was putting policies and programmes in place designed to position the Nigerian oil and gas sector regionally and in the global arena.
He said notable among the programmes are the Refinery Revolution and Decade of Gas initiative.
Auwalu said they are both geared towards increased in-country utilisation of petroleum to drive Industrialisation, job creation, poverty eradication and additional contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“The Department, being an opportunity house and business enabler, has continually worked to reduce the erstwhile high barrier to entry in the refining business, and improved integration with established supply chain. In addition, the Department has gone ahead to pre-validate/ approve the technologies and processes of licensors and OEMs in a bid to cut the licensing/approval timelines,” he added.
Valuechain reports that the lecture had its theme as: ‘Enhancing Effective Synergy Between Oil and Gas and Maritime Sectors for a Greater Value Creation’.