Port Harcourt is set to take its pride of place among prominent energy cities of the world as the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has backed plans to formally designate Port Harcourt as Nigeria’s Premier Energy City, and reinstate its membership in the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP).
Ibas noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with his administration’s commitment to rebrand Rivers State, elevate Port Harcourt as an international energy hub, and unlock new frontiers for global investment, knowledge exchange, and socio-economic transformation in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda which is a transformative policy thrust aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a prime global investment destination.
Speaking on Monday during a courtesy visit to his office at the Government House in Port Harcourt by the Society of Energy Editors (SEE) led by its Chairman, Malam Yakubu Lawal, the Administrator enumerated the opportunities the initiative would provide for Rivers State and the entire country.
According to him, Port Harcourt undoubtedly deserves its Premier Energy City Designation because Port Harcourt is more than just a city. It is the birthplace and beating heart of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and its legacy and strategic relevance are defined by its:
*Historical Significance being the home to Nigeria’s first oil discovery, first refinery, and the cradle of the nation’s hydrocarbon revolution.
*Industrial Capacity because it hosts to two major oil refineries, the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), petrochemical plants, oil service bases, and extensive pipeline and storage infrastructure.
*Strategic Location as it’s a gateway to the Gulf of Guinea and Niger Delta offshore assets, providing access to export terminals, shipping, and logistics operations vital to Nigeria’s global energy footprint.
*Human Capital and Expertise as it is a centre for technical skills, research, and energy-focused educational institutions that have supported Nigeria’s energy growth for over six decades.
The Administrator further stated that the reinstatement of Port Harcourt’s membership into the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) would provide unrestricted opportunities for exchange of knowledge and experiences as well as facilitate business-to-business interaction with other leading energy cities, which will attract foreign direct investment in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general.
He explained that the World Energy Cities Partnership currently comprises 19 leading energy cities, including Houston, Aberdeen, Calgary, Doha, and Perth, therefore, Port Harcourt rejoining this exclusive network will immensely change Nigeria’s image perception for the better in the international community.
He said: “Rejoining this exclusive network of World Energy Cities Partnership will celebrate our legacy which is by formally recognizing Port Harcourt’s irreplaceable contribution to Nigeria’s and Africa’s energy history.
“It will help change the narrative by projecting Port Harcourt as a city of stability, innovation, and opportunity, countering past negative perceptions.
“It will help open global doors by enabling strategic partnerships and attracting foreign direct investment through collaboration with other leading energy cities.
“Besides, it will drive economic growth, boost energy-focused tourism, enhance trade, and create jobs across the local economy through renewed international visibility.”
In view of the aforementioned benefits, Ibas expressed the Rivers State Government’s commitment to ensuring the actualization of the goals of these initiatives by facilitating strategic stakeholder engagements – the private sector and federal agencies, to ensure the economic benefits of this recognition are maximized.
He assured that the Rivers State Government will provide an enabling environment for investment and innovation, in alignment with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his administration’s vision for sustainable energy growth.
Ibas called on members of Society of Energy Editors and all strategic stakeholders to join hands with the state government to make history together and shape the global perception of Port Harcourt as a city of resilience, innovation, and boundless potential.
“We shall support the official designation ceremony of Port Harcourt as Nigeria’s Premier Energy City with all the necessary government assistance as might be required, collaborate with Society of Energy Editors to fast-track re-admission into World Energy Cities Partnership, leveraging your networks and media influence to amplify our story.
“To our private sector partners, I extend an open invitation to invest in a city ready to lead Africa’s energy future. And to the people of Rivers State, this recognition is your victory, a testament to your resilience and a promise of greater opportunities for all. I look forward to working closely with SEE and all stakeholders to write this new chapter in our state’s history,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the SEE, Mallam Yakubu Lawal, while presenting the proposal to the Administrator, noted that the designation would coincide with almost 70 years of Nigeria’s oil industry, transiting Port Harcourt from energy cradle to energy leader.
He expressed the Society’s readiness to partner with the state government in ensuring that Port Harcourt takes its rightful place among the world’s great energy cities.
“To realize this, the SEE pledges to mobilize affiliates to rebrand Port Harcourt’s narrative, personally advocate at WECP headquarters in Houston, develop an annual ‘State of Energy’ report highlighting Rivers achievements,” Lawal said.
Other dignitaries in attendance during the courtesy visit were the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof Ibibia Lucky Worika and the Acting Head of Service, Dr Iyingi Brown, among other senior officials of Rivers State Government.
