… As excited Sole Administrator says it would open PH up to global investment
Port Harcourt is said to have been lined up to regain its status as Nigeria’s premier energy city. This status seems to be in the hands or is conveyed by the Society of Energy Editors (SEE).
The news seems to excite the Rivers State government headed at this time by a retired vice admiral, Ibok ete Ibas, who has welcomed with enthusiasm the formal recognition conferred on Port Harcourt.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Society, led by Yakubu Lawal, its chairman, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas hailed the designation as a testament to the city’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s energy sector.
He further emphasized that the reintegration of Port Harcourt into the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) will unlock transformative economic opportunities, attract foreign investment, and solidify the city’s standing in the global energy arena.
The World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) is indicated as a global network of leading energy cities dedicated to fostering a sustainable energy future. It is said to connect these cities to facilitate knowledge exchange, economic development strategies, and business-to-business interaction in the energy sector.
The WECP is also said to aim to promote the transition to a lower-carbon energy future by supporting the development of diverse energy sources and innovative energy solutions.
Port Harcourt, home to Nigeria’s first oil well (Oloibiri is actually in Bayelsa State), two functional refineries, the Indorama Petrochemical Plant, extensive pipeline networks, and a strategic maritime corridor to the Gulf of Guinea, remains the cornerstone of the nation’s energy industry. Ibas said PH is actually the heartbeat of Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Our potential re-admission into the WECP—joining elite energy hubs like Houston, Aberdeen, and Doha—will redefine global perceptions, showcase our stability and innovation, and open doors for trade, partnerships, and energy tourism.”
Ibas stressed that Port Harcourt’s return to the WECP will; enhance foreign direct investment (FDI) in energy infrastructure and technology[ boost job creation and local capacity development; and position Rivers State as a key player in Africa’s energy transition.
Ibas added: “We are fully committed to rebranding Rivers State and transforming Port Harcourt into an international energy hub.
“This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, fostering an enabling environment for business, innovation, and sustainable growth.”
Ibas commended the Society of Energy Editors for its initiative to commemorate 70 years of Nigeria’s oil industry, an event that would spotlight Port Harcourt’s evolution from an oil discovery site to a global energy force.
He pledged his administration’s full support for the anniversary and urged stakeholders to collaborate in accelerating the city’s WECP re-admission.
Extending an invitation to the global energy community, the retired vice admiral highlighted Port Harcourt’s readiness to lead Africa’s energy future. “We invite investors, innovators, and partners to join us in shaping a sustainable, prosperous energy ecosystem that benefits not just Nigeria, but the entire continent.”
In his remarks, Lawal lauded the Rivers State Government’s commitment to energy excellence. “Designating Port Harcourt as Nigeria’s Premier Energy City is a historic step—one that honors our past while securing our future in the global energy landscape.”
According to Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Adviser (Media), to the sole administrator, with this landmark recognition and the push for WECP membership, Port Harcourt is poised to redefine its role in the global energy economy, driving investment, innovation, and long-term prosperity for Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
