Minister says advisors stuck overseas

PETROLEUM and Energy Minister Kerenga Kua says some of the country’s advisers on major resources are stuck overseas because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Kua told The National that this had resulted in the stalling of discussions on some major petroleum projects.
“Some of the advisers who guide us during discussions on major resource projects have either been recalled to their respective countries or chosen to remain overseas due to the Covid-19 outbreak,” he said.
“This is especially in the case of Twinza’s Pasca A project.
“Obviously, we can’t have them in the country as some had been recalled by their governments.
“Though we are having informal discussions, obviously, we need to sit around a table and have face-to-face discussions with our investors or project operators.”
On the P’nyang gas project in Western, Kua said informal talks between the State and developer were ongoing.
“I don’t want to raise any expectation yet,” he said.
“ExxonMobil has the opportunity to come with better plan for all joint venture partners,” he said.