Belgian envoy urges improvement in Nigeria’s oil refining capacity
Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stephane De Loecker has said that trade relations in oil between his country and Nigeria have been more favourable to Belgium and called for improvement in Nigeria’s refining capacity.
“The problem of Nigeria is, it is exporting tremendous amount of oil to Belgium which is refined and re-exported to Nigeria”, stated the envoy, noting that although his country is benefiting from the transaction, Nigeria should take steps to address the situation.
Mr. Loecker, who noted that the queues in filling stations around the country do not project the oil – rich country positively, pointed out that improving Nigeria’s refineries would save a lot of forex.
The ambassador who made the remark during a visit to the governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Kano, maintained that relations between his country and Nigeria have been very warm.
He assured that Belgium and indeed the European Union would continue to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the security issue affecting parts of Northern Nigeria, pledging that his country will also support the Federal government’s economic diversification drive.
Mr. Loecker described Kano as very important to his country in view of its commercial status and its agricultural potentials, saying his country is desirous of partnering with the state in agricultural development, in view of Belgium’s expertise in crop production and raising livestock.
