The European Union (EU) Ambassadors in Nigeria have called for the strengthening of partnership between the EU and Nigeria in the energy sector.
The envoys, who paid a courtesy visit on the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd on Monday in Abuja noted that due to the current geo-political situation in Europe, the EU is interested in strengthening its cooperation with Nigeria particularly in the area of possible increase in the supplies of liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
A statement signed by spokesman of the NNPC, Mr. Garba Deen Muhammad, said that the EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, who spoke on behalf of the group stated that “Nigeria is the fourth gas supplier to Europe. At least 40% of the Nigerian LNG is currently exported to Europe.”
“We are not only major clients for Nigeria. We are also major partners in the oil and gas sector because some of the companies that are working with you are from Europe. So we share the same interest and same objectives,” Ambassador Isopi added.
Responding, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari, assured the European delegation that the company would continue to deepen its historical relationship with EU companies in Nigeria in order to add more value to its business, particularly towards increasing gas supply to the global market and enhancing domestic gas utilisation.
The statement added that the EU delegation comprised Ambassador of Portugal, Luis Barros; Ambassador of Spain, Juan Sell; Ambassador of Italy, Stefano De Leo and the Deputy Head of Mission (France), Olivier Chatelais.
GIK/APA