The European Union (EU) has expressed interest in supporting gas projects in Nigeria to ensure energy security in Africa and Europe.
Deputy director-general EU Energy Platform Task-Force, Matthew Baldwim said this on Friday when he led a delegation to visit Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, in Abuja. The delegation had also visited the minister to seek the country’s partnership.
Baldwim, stating the EU’s commitment to making gas projects a reality, expressed optimism for a sustainable partnership for energy transition in Nigeria.
“I am very pleased to be working with you in a big way. Private sector investment is guaranteed; the more the security situation can be improved in the Niger Delta Region, the more investment we will see,” he said.
On his part, Sylva said the development would hasten the desire of the EU to guarantee alternative gas to Russia.
He described the assistance which covered security, technology development, financing, and private sector investment as worthwhile because, finally, it would enable Nigeria to be on the same page with the rest of the world
Sylva said the delegation visited the Niger Delta region to assess the security situation and as such, marked it as another area of cooperation. He added that part of the solution itself also required technology.
The minister said the region would be secured for oil and gas investments to thrive, while the production quota would be shored up.
As part of the intervention to curb the insecurity in the region, Sylva said there was a four-legged collaboration which involved the government, security agents, oil companies, and communities.
