GABRIEL Mbaga Obiang Lima, Equatorial Guinea ‘s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, has stated his country’s commitment to helping Uganda’s authorities build an effective local content framework for oil and gas.
Speaking at the 3rd Uganda International Oil & Gas Summit, held on September 27-28, at the invitation of his counterpart Irene Muloni, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda, Obiang Lima emphasised the importance of co-operation between Equatorial Guinea and Uganda. Referring to the bilateral agreements between the two countries signed during state visits in 2017, the minister urged African countries to cooperate for greater economic growth through the sharing of experience and transfer of technology.
‘We want to urge the government of the Republic of Uganda, the Ugandan authorities, companies, workers and the entire Ugandan people to put a lot of emphasis on the issue of national content. That is a priority in the development of the oil sector and of your country,’ said the minister.
He pledged that Equatorial Guinea would support Uganda as it seeks to train and develop the local workforce. The minister recommended that in order to sustainably and quickly develop its oil industry, Uganda should consider entering talks to join the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). A strong African presence on the table, said Obiang Lima, will shape the dialogue within OPEC.