"But it is necessary to take into account that the delay is also due to aspects of the world economy and our economy. In addition to covid-19, we also now have the war in Ukraine and other aspects that we have had. There is a delay and we we also recognize", said the holder of the oil portfolio, speaking at the ministry's end-of-year greetings ceremony.
According to the minister, as part of the oil refining strategy in Angola, the Executive continues to develop, also with a private partner, the Soyo refinery and Sonangol has relaunched the construction of the Lobito Refinery.
Regarding the storage of oil derivatives on land, the minister assured that Sonangol is very committed to finishing the first phase of the oceanic terminal at Barra do Dande.
"I hope that in a year and a half we will be able to finish this first phase and thus, once and for all, resolve the issue of storing oil products on land", he stressed, in a statement to which VerAngola had access.
Diamantino de Azevedo guaranteed the continuity of these projects in the field of oil, so that the country has sufficient capacity in terms of refining and exporting derivatives.
The minister said that the sectoral development plans are in the process of being finalised, namely for the mining and oil sectors, respectively. "This sectoral development plan will be the component of our ministry for the National Development Plan 2023 – 2027, which will be approved by the Executive", he clarified.
The government official said that in the current mandate, the Executive intends to deepen geological knowledge, with priority given to critical minerals for the energy transition.
According to the minister, special attention will be given to improving the geological knowledge of "agrominerals" so that the country can be self-sufficient in fertilizers for the agricultural sector. "We are going to pay special attention to improving the geological knowledge of minerals such as phosphate, potassium, gypsum and others that are important for the composition of fertilizers and then their application in the agricultural process", he stressed.
Still in this field, he said that the Executive wants more mining projects to appear and for gold production to increase.
"And it is a sector in which we can have even more national businessmen engaged in the gold exploration activity", he referred.
On the occasion, the minister warned that the Executive will soon make use of the law to withdraw mining rights from companies that have applied for them but do not use them, in order to be able to give other companies a chance.
The official also revealed that at least ten more cutting factories will be built by Endiama and another 19 by Sodiam.
"And I make this public announcement here so that interested national businessmen go to Sodiam to find out about these factories that are intended to be built in the Saurimo Pole", he said, adding that another polishing pole will be built in Dundo, in Lunda Norte.
