FG considers hydrocarbons as additional foreign exchange earner

The Federal Government is to develop hydrocarbon resources as additional foreign exchange earner and job creator for the nation’s teeming youths.

Besides, it said efforts would be made to identify potential negative impact of any exploration project, especially the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the proposed Ameshi and Enyi Field by Sterling Exploration and Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).

The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, made the comments at a stakeholders’ meeting in Anambra State.

She explained that the exploration of hydrocarbon reserves must be done in an environmentally sustainable and friendly manner, urging the firm to comply with existing EIA for a friendlier society

Her words: “One of the objectives of this administration for the oil and gas sector is to optimally utilise our proven reserves to boost earnings, and open up opportunities in various categories to Nigerian professionals, together with the skilled and semi-skilled labour force.

In his remarks, Governor Willie Obiano assured stakeholders that their complaints would be addressed fruitfully, even as he said the minister’s “timely visit to Anambra will give her first-hand knowledge of how SEEPCO activities have led to disastrous environmental degradation of Ogwu-Ikpele and Ogwu Aniocha communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area.”