Delta State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with B2B Export of Russia for the establishment of a refinery in the state. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Agas, while signing the MoU on behalf of the state government stated that the Delta State Government was committed to attracting investment to the state. Agas said that government could not do it alone and, therefore, emphasised the need to partner and collaborate with well focused and well-meaning investors to come and invest in the state.

He said that the state government would, on its part, provide land and the enabling environment for the refinery to take off and urged B2B Export to meet up with the timeline. The SSG further noted that the state was peaceful and enjoined the company to feel free to carry out its activities with the needed zeal. Earlier, the Director-General, Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Umoru, said that the MoU is epochal because it is the first as it sets the framework of engagement between the state government and B2B Export, outlining the role of each party in actualising the project in the state.

The Founder and Leader of B2B Export team, Mrs. Katya Dyachenko, stated that true independence was the ‘ability to process the goods you produce’ and being one of the largest oil producers in the world, it was good if Nigeria was able to refine every crude it produces. Mrs. Dyachenko stated that for the country to reach true economic independence, it should be able to process that which it produces and export the product, saying that B2B Export’s effort was to ensure that Nigeria got to the point of exporting her refined product, which was the reason for B2B Export coming to the state.

She also stated that the refinery when sited had the capacity to refine over 10,000 barrels per day and this would add to the development of Delta State and Nigeria at large.

Present at the occasion were the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Investment Matters, Mr. Paul Nmah, and officials from the Ministry of Justice, among others. (GrandNews)

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