February 19, 2018

Dr Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum corporation (NNPC), on Monday urged African countries to collaborate and increase trade with one another.

Baru said this in a goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the maiden Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS).

According to him, he is convinced that during the course of the summit, action points will be developed and crystallised into a veritable roadmap for the industry and the energy future.

”As I scanned through the list of invited speakers and panelists, I am convinced we will be able to frame new strategies and come up with practicable solutions for effectively developing Africa’s hydrocarbon resources.

”On our part, I want to say that it is high time that African countries collaborate and trade amongst one another not only in terms of oil and gas but other key sectors.

”One of the key take-always from an event as this is the networking opportunities and the strategic partnerships we make to better not just our industry but also our respective economies.

”No one will do it for us, the onus lies on us to do it for ourselves,” Baru said.

The inaugural NIPS aims to be the African version of the annual Offshore Technology Conference where breakthrough technologies in oil and gas are unveiled.

The NIPS, a five-day event, has the theme: ”Leading Africa’s response to global oil and gas challenges.”

The Secretaries-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, African Petroleum Producers Organisation,
International Energy Forum and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries were in attendance.