Uche Usim, Abuja
Efforts to deepen investments in upstream gas and power sectors crystallized on Friday as the Russian Federation has expressed its readiness to partner with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in this regard.
The Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin made the disclosure while on a working visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari.
Shebarshin, who stated that the visit was to consolidate on the gains made from the Russia-Africa Summit held in Sochi last year, added that 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.
While highlighting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NNPC and Russian-based company, Lukoil, which focused on refinery rehabilitation, the diplomat stressed that he was ready to provide any kind of assistance to move the project forward.
Responding, Kyari thanked the Ambassador for the visit, even as he assured him of NNPC’s commitment to partner with the Russian Embassy in Nigeria to ensure that the two countries benefit from the bilateral cooperation reached in Sochi, Russia.