L-R: Vice-Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Mr Abiodun Adeseye, representative of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs Anike Adekanye and Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the handover of N15 million solar-powered borehole projects executed by Rep. Gbajabiamila in Lagos last Monday.

Twenty-one Chinese companies have indicated interest in the development of potentials in oil and gas sector in Rivers State.
Reacting to the development, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State described the action of the Chinese companies as a welcome development that would benefit Rivers State, Nigeria and China as they partner for mutual benefit.
Governor Amaechi, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Energy, Hon Okey Amadi at a one-day summit organised by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in Port Harcourt last Wednesday for Chinese vendors and Nigeria suppliers, noted that China  as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, has a lot to benefit in exploiting the abundant oil and gas resources in the state and Nigeria.
“We are happy because the state government, SPDC, Nigerian businessmen and Chinese investors have a lot to benefit from this partnership,” he said, noting that it is a collaboration that would provide employment opportunities to the people as well as fasten Nigeria’s industrialisation initiative.
He stated that Rivers State has become one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, and assured foreign investors of security and conducive business atmosphere, just as he also promised to provide land for construction of plants to facilitate technology transfer.
Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, said the summit was one of SPDC’s numerous events designed to  stimulate Nigerian manufacturing industrial base in support of the oil and gas industry through vendor/supplier development.
The MD restated that as Nigeria’s first oil and gas company, SPDC has a long and continuing commitment to Nigeria.
“In addition to helping the country unlock its energy resources, one of the best ways we have delivered on that commitment is to increase the participation and capability of Nigerian companies and individuals in our supply chain operations”, Sunmonu said
Sunmonu remarked that the summit was particularly aimed at stimulating the development of mutually beneficial partnerships between Chinese suppliers and Nigerian vendors to produce and build greater in-country manufacturing capacity.
Describing the theme of the summit, “ Stimulating Oil and Gas Value Chain Through Partnership and Collaboration,” as apt, Sunmonu said in spite of some challenges, Nigeria remains the investment destination of choice in Africa, and urged the Chinese investors to see the enormous offshore investment potentials, support and incentives available in Nigeria.
The summit attracted over 21 foreign investors, 300 Nigerians companies in the areas of pipelines, well engineering, power generation, electric power cables, chemicals and automobiles, to name but  a few.
Also in attendance  were Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigeria Capital Development Board, Nigeria Export Development Board, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (PHACCIMA), Nigeria Export Promotion Council, amongst other stakeholders.
Highlight of the event was the networking and breakout sessions which provided a broad opportunity of business interactions between the Nigerian businessmen and foreign investors to negotiate and explore business ideas and take-off points.
While one of the Chinese investors, Tom Tang, MD of Kingle Group Ltd views the summit as a wonderful opportunity to explore business potentials, a Nigerian business man, Osiano Enigwana, COE of L. Enigwana and Company said it opens a link between locals and foreigners, and urged its sustenance.

Chris Oluoh