Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has sought for a partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, for the refining of aviation fuel in the state.
To this end, the governor has requested for a license from NNPC Limited, for the establishment of a modular refinery that would produce jet fuel, to service the state’s growing aviation industry and the country at large.
Udom said the request is imperative as the state was currently constructing an international airport with a smart airport terminal, which when completed would make the state a major aviation gateway.
Speaking while playing host to the management of NNPC Upstream, led by the Group Executive Director, Adokiye Tombomieye, recently, the Governor decried that despite having the largest crude oil and gas reserve in the country, Akwa Ibom State lacks significant oil and gas presence.
He maintained that in line with his administration’s industralization drive, the state cannot wait for the license for a big, conventional refinery but a modular refinery just for aviation fuel.
“We are looking at all the gateways that can promote tourism and development and we need the support of NNPC and everybody including product marketers. Right now, we are building the smartest terminal building in Africa that will process one million passengers every year.
“We need a depot there for aviation fuel we might not wait for a big refinery, just license for a modular refinery. We don’t have a single presence of the oil and gas in Akwa Ibom.’’
The Governor also appealed to NNPC to relocate the corporate headquarters of some of its subsidiaries to occupy a smart office accommodation at the Dakkada Towers in the State.
