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Minister seeks zero loss of oil output, others

By Chido Okafor (Warri) and Adamu Abuh (Abuja)
28 October 2019   |   3:35 am
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, at the weekend challenged oil firms and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State to come up with a proposal to assist the Federal Government in its agenda of zero loss of crude oil output as well as reduction...

Timipre Sylva

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The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, at the weekend challenged oil firms and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State to come up with a proposal to assist the Federal Government in its agenda of zero loss of crude oil output as well as reduction in cost of production, eradication of gas flare and development of the product reserves.

The minister, who was special guest at the 2019 graduation of the institution, also charged the oil and gas stakeholders to come up with initiatives that would aid the realisation of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s June 12 promise to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.He particularly tasked the PTI to synergise with oil companies to carry out extensive research on how the country could quickly boost crude oil output from 2.2 million barrels per day to three million barrels daily, and also to identify the areas of need and fashion out solutions.

He said: “As the hub for training and retraining of personnel for the petroleum industry not only in Nigeria but Africa at large, you need to create the synergy between the institute, relevant institutions and agencies in the sector to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the oil and gas industry.“I therefore call on the PTI to collaborate with other institutions in areas of research and training like the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NNPC and the IOCs to offer scholarships and grants to deserving students and graduates as well as finance special projects and patronise the institute in building your employees’ capacities.”

Sylva implored the graduates to deploy their acquired skills to change the face of the industry, influence and contribute to national development.The Principal and chief executive officer of the institute, Prof. Sunny Esayegbemu Iyuke, said 1,122 technologists and technicians were awarded higher national diplomas, national diplomas and general certificates.

However, concerned stakeholders in the industry yesterday claimed that lack of jobs for indigenous contractors was worsening the unemployment situation in the country.

Zaharadeen Ahmed and Kingsley Okoro, who spoke on their behalf at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja, alleged that majority of the oil majors had placed most of their projects on hold for undisclosed reasons. They maintained that the situation was working against the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s quest for the socio-economic development of the nation.

Also yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Ajuri Ngelale, said gas was the new oil and future of Nigeria.He spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while shedding light on government’s effort at combating climate change issues, particularly gas flaring in the land.

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