SPE To Build Energy Centre In Uniport

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has sealed arrangements to build an Energy Centre in University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) with the aim of enhancing skills and improve productivity in the oil and gas industry.

The project, which is situated beside Emerald Energy, Institute of Petroleum Studies Uniport, would be in four phases and the first phase, which is already ongoing, is expected to be completed before the end of 2015.

Chairman of SPE, Nigeria Council, Emeka Ene said, the idea for setting up the centre at an academic community was driven to produce better research products and best trained students.

Ene who spoke at the ground breaking ceremony of the centre in Port Harcourt, noted that the impact of the project is very tremendous for the oil and gas industry, stating that it would help to get the best trained student who will become useful to the oil and gas industries and the nation’s economy.

Ene stressed that, the only way the Nigeria economy would be transformed is when industries partners with the academia, private sectors, adding that such remains the fastest way to get things done.

He said: “The impact of setting up an SPE energy centre in Uniport is tremendous for the industry. With this, we will have better trained students, it is also useful for private companies who will have to work on research and local content.”

“The only way we can get our economy transformed is when the industries partners with the academia, private sectors and others. It is the fastest way to get things done,” he added.

Similarly, Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajienka said, the project is very important to the school, the oil and gas industry and the nation at large.

He commended SPE for what he described as an outstanding initiative that would assist the University in training the students.

Ajienka, however, expressed hope that the project would be completed speedily and be put to good use for the benefit of the country.

Facilities expected in the centre include oil and gas digital library, oil and gas museum, hotel and residence, research and development centre, food court, auditoriums among others.