Russia, NNPC Partner to Develop Oil Sector

Chinazor Megbolu

The Russian Federation has shown its readiness to partner with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) towards developing the country’s upstream, gas and power sectors.

The Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Samson Makoji, made this known in a press statement by the Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Alexey Shebarshin, during a working visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari over the weekend.

Shebarshin explained that the visit was to surge forward on the gains made from the Russia-Africa Summit held in Sochi in 2019.

According to him; “the Russian Embassy in Nigeria was keen on enhancing and developing the bilateral co-operation between the two countries across the oil and gas value-chain”.

“We are particularly interested in participating in Nigeria’s power infrastructure projects. We would also keep close track of the ongoing negotiations between NNPC and Gazprom on the restoration of the bilateral cooperation which aims to revive and solidify the venture between our two companies for gas Infrastructure development in Nigeria,”.

On the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NNPC and Russian-based company, Lukoil, charged with the responsibility of refinery rehabilitation, he noted he was ready to provide any kind of assistance towards making the project a reality.

Meanwhile, Kyari expressed appreciation over the gesture by the Ambassador and assured him of NNPC’s commitment to partner with them by ensuring the two countries benefit from the bilateral cooperation reached in Sochi, Russia.

According to Kyari, “as a National Oil Company, we are committed to growing Nigeria’s economy. We will set up communication channels with the Russian companies, Lukoil and Gazprom in particular, to promote this collaboration for the benefit of our two countries”.