"EDO STATE SEEKS PARTNERSHIPS TO STRENGTHEN OIL AND GAS SECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT"

Special Adviser on Oil and Gas visits NMDPRA to seek Partnerships in Strengthening the Oil and Gas Sector for Edo State’s Development

In line with Senator Monday Okpebholo’s strategic vision to foster impactful collaboration with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector for the advancement of the Edo people, the Special Adviser to Edo State governor on Tuesday paid a visit to the Edo Coordinator of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This meeting aimed to explore potential areas of partnership and synergy to enhance Oil and Gas security, improve economic opportunities, and promote sustainable development in the state.

Areas of Collaboration Discussed

 1. Oil and Gas Access and Infrastructure Development

 • Expansion of petroleum product distribution networks to ensure affordable and accessible energy across rural and urban areas.

 • Collaboration on the construction and maintenance of strategic storage depots and pipelines within the state.

 2. Job Creation and Local Content Promotion

 • Development of initiatives to train and empower Edo youths in technical skills related to the midstream and downstream sectors.

 • Ensuring compliance with local content policies to prioritize employment for local communities in ongoing and future projects.

 3. Environmental Sustainability and Safety

 • Partnering on programs to address environmental concerns arising from oil and gas activities, including pipeline vandalism and spills.

 • Promoting clean energy initiatives and compliance with safety standards to protect communities.

 4. Revenue Generation and Economic Growth

 • Exploring ways to boost the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) through improved regulatory oversight and support for compliant businesses in the sector.

 • Supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the downstream sector to stimulate economic activities.

 5. Policy Advocacy and Regulatory Support

 • Collaborating to streamline regulatory processes for businesses in the state to attract investors to Edo’s oil and gas sector.

 • Partnering on policy reforms to create an enabling environment for growth in the midstream and downstream industries.

This engagement is part of Senator Okpebholo’s unwavering commitment to leveraging Edo State’s resources and opportunities in the oil and gas sector to improve livelihoods, stimulate economic development, and ensure sustainable growth for all Edo people. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of aligning efforts with key regulatory agencies to achieve these shared objectives.