The oil and gas sector in Nigeria would be equated with what the Turks would describe as “yılan hikayesi”, translated as “the snake story.” How is the snake story? According to tales, the snake story is a situation that exists, prolongs, extends, and never has an end. İn other words, there’s never a result, no end, no solution in sights. Such, has been the case with the Nigerian oil and gas sector since the discovery of oil in the country in the 50s. İf possible solutions to problems associated with having oil and gas in a country had come to mind or even been envisaged or studied at the beginning of when the black gold was discovered in the country, at least, preparations for full ownership, exploration into the sector, would have been started right from the word go.
Nigeria would have started assembling and training her citizens, would have seen how to acquire the technology as she didn’t have one, for exploration, drilling, refining and distribution of the petroleum products in the country for local consumption and even for export. They would have sought for and acquired the equipment and machines, tools, etc, used in operations in the sector. İf they could not do it alone, Nigeria could have arranged and partnered with a foreign oil and gas company already in the sector that would have through a win win agreement and at the end, taught Nigerians about what happens with oil and gas, including even the management. These, would have made Nigeria a real oil and gas country, doing her own thing by herself with time. But this was not so, and has not been the case. Hence, the snake story, continues. Nigeria has got oil and gas, but doesn’t know what happens in the sector, despite her enormous human resources. What a great pity for Nigeria! İf you cannot control production, you cannot control the flow chain. Does Nigeria have her own indigenous oil and gas exploration and drilling company today after all these years? İ don’t think so. She depends on foreign exploiters. Nigeria must wake up if she is to stay, do away with the snake story in the oil and gas sector.
© AU Udoh
