The fifth Upstream and Downstream Oil and Gas Exhibition Conference has been postponed to next year owing to the Sallah break coupled with the seeming procrastination from regulators in the industry.

The event was initially scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday but has since been moved to September 27-29, 2016 in Abuja. Organisers of the event blamed the reluctance of such organisations as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the postponement.

"We wish to regretfully inform all registered participants, industryplayers and the general public that due to the declaration of 24thSeptember, 2015 as a public holiday (Id el Kabir) as well as someuncontrollable circumstances and variables, including slow response from NNPC and other regulatory agencies as a result of changes in administration," said Dr Kune Igoni, Director of Events at Expo WestAfrica, the organisers.

Igoni nonetheless said all registered exhibitors, delegates, visitors,resource persons and the general public should be rest assured thepostponement would give organisers the required leverage to give themmaximum return on their investment.

"We apologise for the inconvenience even as we thank you for your(stakeholders') understanding."