The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has assured that his administration will provide The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) the needed support for the proposed establishment of an Oil refinery in the state.
Otti gave the assurance when he received in the audience a delegation of PETAN led by its Chairman Engr. Wole Ogunsanya who was in the state for the possibility of establishing an oil refinery in the state.
He assured that the Abia State government team would engage with them to see how they can partner as a joint venture to realize the project.
“I would like to inform you that we are willing to work with you. We will see how we can partner. We take our partnership very seriously, and I want to thank you for identifying us as one of the first states,” the governor said.
The governor further assured the delegation that Abia has a lot of assets that are yet to be identified beyond Ukwa West, disclosing that there are other areas yet to be explored.
Otti said beyond oil and gas, the state boasts of other resources and expressed happiness that PETAN is waxing stronger.
“We have some assets that have been identified beyond Ukwa West. Oil activities today in Abia are centered around Ukwa West and I have it on good authority that other areas of the state have reserves that could be harnessed.
“And by the time we have serious players, you begin to explore some of these places around Umunneochi and a few other places.
Also Speaking, the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna expressed the hope that the opportunity will take the state to another level as there are about 100 hundred capped oil wells yet to be tapped, adding that if realized Abia will be among the top Oil players in the world.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of PETAN, Wole Ogunsanya said their visit was to see how best to support the state realize its full potential in the oil sector.
“We have engaged in discussions with the government on having a refinery in the state which would serve the state and neighboring states.
“This is the first state where we would be executing this programme/project.
“We have a programme that the association desires to use in supporting the state using the resources that the state has on ground.
“We own the equipment that would find the oil and bring it out of the ground. This would make the work easy for us.”