Soludo To Inaugurate Anambra State Oil and Gas Development Committee Tomorrow

Governor Chukwuma Soludo will tomorrow inaugurate the members of the Anambra State Oil and Gas Development Committee.

According to a release signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu the inauguration will take place at 12 noon at the Secretary to the State Government Conference Room.

It stated that the sixteen-member Committee has Barrister Uju Ifejika as chairman while the Permanent Secretary of Anambra State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is Secretary.

According to the release ,the terms of reference include to develop and sustain an oil and gas blueprint for Anambra State; promote and sustain a good rapport between the State Government and all Ministries, Department and Agencies of the Federal Government concerning the Oil and Gas sector, provide regular updates to the Government on international and local research outcomes as well as emerging local and international trends in the oil and gas sector or business and especially as they may affect or impact the State and its energy; and create measures and policies to ensure the smooth operation of the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas business in the State.

The release enumerated other terms of reference to include, take inventory of all acreages in the State and investigate why they aren’t active; register and keep records of existing oil and gas sector enterprises and proposed investor in the Oil and Gas sector in Anambra State; provide support and act as intermediary between Oil and Gas enterprise and their resident communities across the State; work closely with Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) to identify specific Oil and Gas projects and invite interested investors and partners for participation in such project; and advise the State Government on policy matters designed to promote and enhance the development of the Oil and Gas sector.

It said the Oil and Gas Development Committee is also expected to facilitate activities of the Orient Petroleum Resources and other companies in setting up refineries in Anambra State; ensure that owners of oil fields in Anambra State are very active; take steps and ensure that Anambra State becomes a member of NDDC; advise on the modalities of setting up an equitable and sustainable Host Community Development Trust Fund as encapsulated in the PIA 2021; advise Anambra State government on how to adequately deploy the proceeds of thirteen percent derivation fund; advise government on how to manage Energy Transition and Green Energy; distribution of Petroleum Products; environmental impacts of Upstream, Downstream and Midstream; minimize the methane emissions from Organic Waste; determine the effective way of monitoring hydrocarbon accounting in Lease Automatic Custody Transfer operations; and Undertake other functions as directed by Mr. Governor.