Reduce spills, pollution - Oil and gas companies urged
Leaders across Africa’s Oil and Gas industry have been advised to focus on improving their environmental performance in their exploitation of natural resources.
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Pollution as a result of activities in the industry is a global phenomenon; hence efforts to reduce its effect to the barest minimum should be of concern to all industry players.
Speaking at an oil and gas conference in Accra, the Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, said although the issue persisted in every part of the world due to the nature of the business, “what is not acceptable is for you not to have the necessary control over issue of spills.”
Mr Sunmonu also stressed that “if there is an accident or spill you should be ready to combat it as swiftly as possible,” and not allow these spills to occur as a result of reckless business operations.
He, therefore, reiterated the need for collaboration between all industry players to ensure that society’s expectation of their operations did not go into disrepute, and to endeavour to reduce spills and pollution from operations significantly.
The two-day oil and gas conference organised by PwC was on the theme: “Africa in the race for Global Energy” and brought together leaders of the oil and gas industry from various African Countries.
Energy demands in Africa
According to Mr Sunmonu, demand for Energy in Africa will surge as the population increases and as such Africa needs to increase their production capacities to meet this demand.
For instance, demand for liquefied transport fuel is expected to rise by 26 per cent to about 100 million barrels a day as people strive to buy cars.
That notwithstanding, Africa, he said had a positive picture looking at meeting this demand but advised that Africa leaders should explore the attractive opportunities that abound in the sector in a bid to up its capacity.
“Africa needs more collaboration in terms of structure and an open policy to allow foreign investors to partner them to develop their resources,” he stressed.
By Jessica Acheampong & Emmanuel Bruce/Daily Graphic/Ghana