The Nigerian Upstream Downstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the federal government has concluded plans to explore alternative funding models to develop the country’s oil and gas resources.

Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive of NUPRC, said this on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) pavilion and exhibition stand at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference, in Houston, Texas, United States.

Mr Komolafe said that the need to develop the country’s hydrocarbon resources required huge funding, hence the decision of NUPRC to develop an alternative funding model for the industry.

According to him, Nigeria will not be left behind in the energy conversation discussion as the country is a place where needs meet opportunities.

“Nigeria, with abundant oil and gas reserves and other sources of energy mix, is well positioned to be a superpower if all these hydrocarbon resources are well coordinated,” he said.

Mr Komolafe said the signing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had created a landmark reform in the petroleum industry, including an attractive fiscal and regulatory regime.

Also, the permanent secretary of the petroleum ministry, Gabriel Aduda, said the PETAN pavilion at the OTC showcased Nigeria’s oil and gas industry diversity.

“We are looking at African countries’ collaboration toward developing the oil and gas sector. This is especially important because we in Nigeria are totally aware of the need to carry the entire continent alone. And we are not looking at this entity as just Nigeria alone but the whole of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO),” Mr Aduda explained. “So, we are looking at these beyond us. We are looking at the APPO.”

He said about eight African countries were part of the ongoing exhibition, adding that other African countries would join the conference. According to him, this is extremely important because the place of local content cannot be overemphasised.

“That is why we are so happy with what PETAN is doing because PETAN is providing the capacity for local industry players to be able to strive,” added the permanent secretary.

Nicholas Odinuwu, PETAN chairman, said the OTC would continue to discuss building a sustainable oil and gas industry across the African continent in light of the energy transition, using the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a veritable tool.

“With our collective efforts, we are charting a new pathway for our industry and the energy future of almost two billion people that Africa is home to. Nigeria has taken the lead by developing an energy transition plan, launched in 2020, which outlines the technologies and support needed to achieve universal energy access and net-zero emissions by 2050,” stated Mr Odinuwu.

The PETAN chief added, “The fact is that Africa requires sustainable energy sources to meet the growing needs of all sectors of its economy, and the energy transition is a crucial enabler of sustainable development.”

(NAN)