Anambra state governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has constituted a 16-member Oil and Gas Development Committee.
ASHENEWS gathered that the committee, under the chairmanship of the CEO of Britania-U Nigeria Limited, Barrister (Mrs.) Uju Ifejika, will be inaugurated on Tuesday, December 13.
A statement by the Commissioner of Information, Paul Nwosu said the committee will be inaugurated at 12pm in the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Conference Room.
List of members
Members of the Committee are Barrister Uju Ifejika, Chairperson; Permanent Secretary of Anambra State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Secretary; Engr. Ikechukwu G. Okafor (Vice-Chairman); Barr. (Mrs.) Patricia Igwebike (Commissioner for Transport) and Paul Nwosu (Commissioner for Information).
Others are Mrs. Nkechi Obi (MON); Prof K.K. Nwozor; Dr. Chris Ofokansi; Chief Tony Okwesa; Engr. Jideofor Chukwuemeka Etele; Barr. Anthony i. Ifeanya; Engr. Somtochukwu Mezie Okoye; Dr. Boniface Emengini; Emmanuel Nwabia; Mr. Francis Abuah Nwabueze; and Barr. Anthony C. Madichie.
Terms of reference
The committee’s terms of reference are as follows:
- 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 (MDAs) 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;
- create measures and policies to ensure the smooth operation of the upstream (exploration and production), midstream and downstream oil and gas business in the State.
- Take inventory of all acreages (open and allocated) 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/or partners for participation in such project;
- advise the State Government on policy matters designed to promote and enhance the development of the Oil and Gas sector.
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 13% 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 (LACT) operations;
- and finally Undertake other functions as directed by Mr. Governor.
