Geneva-based energy firm, Puma Energy, has started delivering bitumen to its terminal at Calabar in Cross River in a venture aimed at assisting Nigeria to rebuild its dilapidated road network.
Puma Energy’s Global Head of Bitumen Mr Olof Klintholm who made the announcement in a statement said “This is an important milestone for Puma Energy because Nigeria is a key focus market for us as we keep building our global presence.”
“The delivery shows we can deliver bitumen on specification and on time anywhere in the world,” Klintholm said.
He explained that the shipment, made from neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, was made under a joint venture with WABECO Petroleum Ltd., trading in Nigeria as P.E. Bitumen Resources Nigeria Ltd.
“The cargo was delivered by MT Acacia Rubra, which completed discharging in the early hours of September 5.
“The delivery comes at a critical time to assist the Nigerian government in rebuilding its road infrastructure which is a catalyst for the country’s economic development.
“Puma Energy has the world’s largest system of bitumen ships and terminals and we offer customers globally, a wide range of products that meet local specification requirements at a competitive price,’’ said Klintholm.
According to him, Puma Energy is helping to deliver new and safer roads in many countries by assisting governments, highway agencies and construction companies in sourcing and supplying the bitumen they need for major construction works.
“Puma Energy looks forward to working with construction companies in delivering high quality bitumen to their projects around Nigeria’’, he added.
It would be recalled that Nigeria has about 32,000 km of federal highways most of which are unpaved and in deplorable shape, according to official records.
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