On the occasion, Diamantino Azevedo – who conferred possession to Belarmino Emílio Chitangueleca – asked the new administrator for "greater commitment to the execution of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategy to increase, by 2027, the operator's position to at least 10 percent", being that, according to a statement from the ministry, the national oil company accounts for only two percent of oil production.
"It is a huge challenge for Sonangol. We ask that (the administrator) bring greater dynamics to achieving this goal", stated Diamantino Azevedo.
Quoted in the note from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas – to which VerAngola had access – the official also said that the oil production scenario in Angola is declining, and it is necessary to "increase prospecting and research for more resources".
"We need to pay more attention to the problems we are experiencing regarding the considerable and often unjustified increase in the consumption of petroleum derivatives in our country, especially in the border provinces", said the holder of the Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas portfolio, which also mentioned refining and petrochemicals, asking for "speed in the implementation of ongoing projects", reads the note.
Belarmino Chitangueleca promised to work hard to "comply with the minister's recommendations".
"Although I come from upstream, I know the house", he said, adding that Sonangol already has strategies, projects and programs.
"Let's see what is planned and commit to the rapid implementation of what was entrusted to us", said the new administrator, quoted in the statement.
The secretaries of State for Mineral Resources and Oil and Gas, Jânio Corrêa Victor and José Alexandre Barroso, respectively, were present at the ceremony, as well as "members of the boards of directors of ANPG, SNL, ANRM, IGEO and IRDP".
Remember that the appointment of Belarmino Emílio Chitangueleca took place this week. The President of the Republic dismissed Joaquim António de Sousa Fernandes from his position, thus appointing Belarmino Emílio Chitangueleca to carry out this role from now on.
