Diri, stakeholders to woo investors to oil, gas sector

Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, ministers of hydrocarbon and energy in key African countries, indigenous and international oil companies are set to canvass investment to Nigeria, leveraging the Petroleum Industry Act.

The stakeholders, who will converge on Texas at the 2022 sub-Saharan Energy Conference and Energy & Corporate Africa Leadership Forum, are expected to focus on ways to advance innovation and technology in the continent’s energy sector.

Chief Executive Officer of Energy and Corporate Africa, Sunny Oputa disclosed in a release that the event would open the continent to investors in the face of energy transition.

Governor Diri is expected to present the keynote address at the event focusing on utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources in the promotion of industrial development.

“Bayelsa State is one of the major oil producing states in Nigeria. The first oil discovery in Nigeria by Royal Shell was in Oloibiri in the current Bayelsa State. This makes the state historical and significant in the oil and gas industry of Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. Bayelsa, as an energy state, harbours many opportunities for investors, business developers and project seekers,” Oputa said.

According to him, the passing of the Petroleum Industry Act in Nigeria, gave oil and gas producing communities and indigenous producers the courage to boost Nigeria’s energy basket, business environment and economic dynamics.

While oil producing nations of Africa push to attract investments and develop their natural resources, Oputa said the programme offers a platform for personalities that have contributed in the development and growth of the region’s energy industry to be celebrated. According to him, the event would throw light on boosting local content, community relations and sustainability.