The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria has held a meeting with the Abia State government on how to assist the government to establish its proposed oil refinery in the state.
At a meeting in the state, the association chairman and delegation lead, Wole Ogunsanya, said the state would be the first where the association would engage in such a programme/project.
According to him: “We have a programme/project that we desire to use in supporting the state government by using the resources it has on ground.”
“We own the equipment that would find the oil and bring it out and this would make the work easy for us. And the refinery will also serve the neighbouring states.”
In a response, the governor, Alex Otti welcomed and assured the delegation of the support and cooperation of the government in realising the project within the shortest time frame.
“I would like to inform you that we are willing to partner with you. We take our partnership very seriously. I want to thank you for identifying us as one of the first states for the project,” he noted.
Otti said beyond oil and gas deposits in Ukwa West local government area, the state is blessed with other mineral resources that were waiting for processing and harnessing.
“If there is any support you need, do not hesitate to reach out to us. I would like to give you a timeline, so that we won’t just be talking. I would like to be briefed every fortnight on how we are doing.”
In a contribution, the commissioner for petroleum resources, Joel Ogbonna expressed the hope that the opportunity will lead to utilising about 100 capped oil wells in the state.