Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s declining oil production levels, calling for a strategic interventions to turn things around.
He articulated his concerns during a meeting with a delegation from the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE), led by National Chairman, Prisca Kanebi, in his Abuja office at the weekend.
Emphasising the critical role of NIPetE’s expertise, Lokpobiri asserted that harnessing the knowledge and skills of its members is essential to overcoming the obstacles hindering increased oil output; a key driver of the nation’s economic prosperity.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a robust partnership with NIPetE to propel advancements in the oil and gas sector.
The Minister highlighted several key areas for collaboration, including capacity building within universities and the enhancement of professional practices to ensure sustainable and increased oil production in Nigeria.
While he acknowledged the significant investments made to bolster industry capacity, he pointed out that the results have not met expectations, calling for a transformative approach to achieve meaningful success.