Arkab met l’accent sur la numérisation, la souveraineté énergétique et les partenariats technologiques

Arkab emphasizes digitalization, energy sovereignty and technology partnerships

Modernization of the energy sector

The Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, affirmed the day before yesterday Saturday in Algiers that the hydrocarbon sector had recorded “significant” progress in recent years, thanks to the strategic vision of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who placed energy security and sovereignty over national resources at the heart of the State’s priorities.
Speaking at a meeting bringing together officials from the Energy and Renewable Energy sectors, organized under the slogan ”For a public service of excellence”, Mr. Arkab underlined the need to accelerate the modernization of the sector through the localization of technologies, the strengthening of partnerships with national and international companies, as well as the development of the local petroleum equipment industry. He particularly insisted on the “central” role of digitalization in improving performance, governance and transparency. Digital tools constitute, according to him, an essential lever to guarantee speed and reliability in the processing of operations linked to hydrocarbons.
Concerning mines, the Minister of State recalled that the Government’s new vision is based on “rational and sustainable” exploitation of resources, based on expanded geological prospecting, a strengthened investment base and the development of national value chains. He welcomed the new mining law, which enshrines the principles of transparency, efficiency and simplification of procedures, while paving the way for balanced partnerships promoting technology transfer and training.
Mr. Arkab also addressed the strategic issue of seawater desalination, which has become a priority to guarantee the country’s water security. He reaffirmed the desire to develop desalination equipment locally and to build national capacities in collaboration with specialized companies.
Referring to the restructuring of the sector following the last ministerial reshuffle, the Minister of State announced the finalization of new regulatory texts organizing the missions of the ministries responsible for Hydrocarbons, Mines, Energy and Renewable Energy. These texts will be published soon in order to ensure better complementarity between central and local structures and public companies.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the wilaya directorates of Energy and Mines, a real basis for the implementation of public policies. They are responsible for controlling exploration activities, storage, distribution of petroleum products, industrial safety, monitoring geological programs and compliance with technical standards. Mr. Arkab urged local officials to intensify coordination with large companies in the sector, notably Sonatrach, Sonelgaz and Sonarem, in order to improve performance, accelerate projects and ensure quality public service for the benefit of citizens and economic actors. The meeting, held in the presence of the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, and the Secretary of State for Mines, Karima Bakir Tafer, ended with the adoption of a roadmap aligned with the strategic orientations of the Government, in favor of sustainable energy security and integrated economic development. Djamila Sai