Lagos Seeks Foreign Assistance On Energy, Solid Minerals

The Lagos State Government is seeking the assistance of the Scottish Development International to develop and   attract investors to its energy and solid mineral sector.

The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Taofiq Tijani, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Iyabo Obasa, disclosed this while hosting the Scottish Development International team led by the International Senior Executive on Trade and Investment Scotland, Mr. Andrew Monaghan.

The Permanent Secretary while briefing the delegation  on the activities of her ministry, said Lagos was ready to collaborate with reputable Scottish firms with wide expertise on solid minerals, renewable power, oil and gas development.

She said the creation of the ministry in 2011 by the present administration was a deliberate attempt to attend to the power needs of residents and explore the hydrocarbon oil and gas potential as well as other mineral resources of the state.

She disclosed to the visitors that the present government, led by Mr. Babatunde  Fashola, placed  a greater premium on power, which is a major cardinal focal point of development followed by agriculture, transportation  and health.

The permanent secretary therefore sought the assistance of the Scottish Development Team in attracting investors in the energy sector, especially in renewable energy, waste to energy project, captive power project and solar energy deployment in the state.

Other areas of attracting investors, according to the Permanent Secretary, include capacity building for professionals in the ministry as well as the development of the solid mineral and the oil and gas subsectors of the state

International Senior Executive on Trade and Investment Scotland, Mr. Andrew Monaghan, while discussing various business opportunities which abound in  Aberdeen, Scotland, promised to keep the ministry updated on areas of mutual interest.  Andrew disclosed that Scotland had a forty years track record in the oil and gas development which they are ready to share with Lagos State government when the state oil and gas agency, the Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation, finally takes off.

He said further that Scotland had been able to take advantage of its abundant windy condition with the development of renewable energy, which could be replicated in Lagos.

He disclosed that Scottish development international is a joint venture development body between the Scottish government and its economic development agencies. He extended invitation to officials from the ministry to visit Scotland and understudy the development of renewable energy in the country.