The Minister of State for Energy, Petroleum, Mr. H. Odein Ajumogobia has called for the establishment of more refineries in the country.

The Minister made the call during a recent interview he granted in his office in Abuja. He said that this has become necessary because the combined capacities of the three existing ones in Kaduna, Warri and Part Harcourt cannot meet the local demand for petroleum products.

He pointed out that government’s acknowledgement of the legitimacy of claims and struggle by the people of the Niger Delta, was a huge step towards ending the crisis in the area, which has hampered smooth production of crude oil in the country.

He explained that the federal government has been engaged in open dialogue with various groups including militant groups, to understand their grievances so that government could articulate a programme towards developing and rebuilding the region.

He explained that the strategic position of Nigeria in the oil and gas market, made it imperative for her to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in the downstream sector of the industry.


He said that government would work out a gas policy that would make the domestic use of gas important.