By Dipo Olowookere
There are strong indications that the British government will invest in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
British High Commissioner, Mr Paul Arkwright, informed the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Ndu Ughamadu, that his government was ready to invest in pipeline infrastructure, renewable energy, gas and power sub-sectors of the oil and gas industry.
Mr Arkwright noted that the British government had genuine investment interest in the Downstream, Midstream and Upstream sectors, stressing that the British Department for International Trade was ready to liaise with the Federal Government to invest in the country.
The High Commissioner also urged the Federal Government and the NNPC to organize a road show in London to create awareness on the possible investment opportunities available in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
Mr Arkwright disclosed that so many British investors had funds which they were willing to invest in Nigeria, stressing, however, that the process of obtaining Nigerian visa in United Kingdom was cumbersome with three different levels of visa procurement fees as well as Nigeria’s postal order system.
The NNPC spokesman, who paid a courtesy visit to the Chancery of British High Commission in Abuja, on behalf of the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mr Maikanti Baru, condoled with the British Government over the recent terror attacks in the United Kingdom.
Mr Ughamadu, who lead the NNPC delegation, commended the High Commissioner for its promptness in issuing visas to officials of the corporation.
He assured that NNPC would sustain the cordial relations.
