FG Urges Synergy in Midstream, Downstream Sectors to Boost Domestic Refining

To further strengthen local content development and boost the country's domestic refining capacity, the Federal Government has called for synergy among stakeholders in the midstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, made the call at the opening ceremony of a two-day dialogue organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Lagos with theme: "Maximising Potential in the Midstream and Downstream Oil and Gas sector – a Local Content Perspective".

According to the Minister, one of the key objectives of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under the Next Level Agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is to increase the nation's domestic refinery capacity.

He noted that government's effort at boosting domestic refining capacity led to NCDMB's partnership with local companies such as Waltersmith Refinery, Azikel Refinery, and Atlantic Refinery in furtherance of its role as a catalyst for capacity development in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.

Sylva said the dialogue "will serve as a platform to sensitize and enlighten stakeholders about the Board's capacity building intervention initiatives in support of Nigerian Content Development in the midstream and downstream sectors."