BY FESTUS OKOROMADU
The Federal Government says it will henceforth prioritise indigenous firms operating in the oil and gas sector otherwise known as independent producers’ preference in future exploration bids.
The Minister of States for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri made this known while speaking at the Independent Petroleum Producers Group annual dinner.
The Minister said the independent petroleum producers are an integral part of the country’s ability to meet its energy needs.
“Most of the IOCs want to sell their crude abroad. But some of you (the independent players) are owners of modular refineries.
“We are fixed up in a major challenge. By the time you increase your production, you will be contributing immensely to our energy needs as a country and you will fix our forex that will be available for other sectors.
“Whatever that we can do, I can assure you we will do it. I want to say that going forward, it is important that when we want to do anything bid round, the boys shouldn’t come, let the men alone come,” the minister added.
He said one of the things authorities have uncovered is that there are a large number of operators with licences who have no capacity for oil exploration and so “it ends as souvenirs in their cupboards.”
“So, going forward, the members of IPPG please get ready for any other bid round. I want to assure you that men will be the ones to be considered.
“To me, if I give anybody any licence, and the person wears some nice suit and starts roaming around the world, looking for investments, I have cost him more pain,” he stressed.
Lokpobiri said operators “who have already proven capacity should be the people that we should prioritise in terms of future bid rounds.”
Meanwhile, the minister enjoined companies to ensure that they pay their taxes.
