Russia, UAE to Partner NNPC on Development

• Russia, UAE to Partner NNPC on Development

The Russian Federation and the United Arab Emirates have said they are willing and ready to partner with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to aid the development of the oil and gas sector.

According to NNPC, the partnership will focus on the upstream, midstream, downstream and services sectors of the oil and gas industry to enhance economies of partners.

Alexey Shebarshin, the Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria, who was on a working visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, said the proposed partnership would help both Russia and Nigeria.

Shebarshin said the visit will help strengthen the collaboration and partnership with the NNPC in ensuring the growth and development of the Nigerian oil and gas industry for collective gains.

“This is with deep thanks and appreciation of further cooperation between Russian oil and gas companies and the NNPC that will bring positive results of our joint cooperation,” Shebarshin was quoted in a statement issued by the NNPC.

Shebarshin said the two countries had a long history and would continue to expand their business interests as part of efforts to improve the standard of living of citizens.

Also in attendance was the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Obaid Aitaffag.

Aitaffag said his country would continue to partner NNPC to better develop the downstream and services sector of the oil industry.

“It was a pleasure to meet the NNPC team led by Dr Baru. I hope that our discussion would bring closer ties between the UAE and Nigeria in the area of oil and gas,” Aitaffag said.