FG decries mass destruction of oil facilities in N/D, says scourge will be dealt with
Joe Abu, Warri
The Federal Government has again decried the avalanche of huge losses pervading the oil industry and called on all all well meaning Nigerians to join hands in fighting the menace plaguing the country.
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, who lamented the ugly situation, revealed that over seven hundred thousand (700,000) barrel of crude oil were lost daily due to the wanton destruction of oil facilities and installations by militants in the Niger Delta region.
Kachikwu, who spoke at this year’s convocation ceremony of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun, Delta State on Saturday, was however excited that the target of driving militancy in the region to zero is being realized as the scourge has greatly declined.
The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Folashade Yemi-Easn, was optimistic that every challenge confronting the oil industry will be tackled decisively.
“There is another challenge created by the volatile and dwindling crude prices in the international market which have affected revenue of the government. This also comes at a time when investment in the oil sector suffered immensely,” remarked the Minister who also identified the perennial Joint Venture Cash Calls (JVCs)
While assuring the institute of government support at all times, the ministry revealed that the Federal Government has appropriated the sun of N200million in the 2017 budget for the takeoff of the laudable digital PTI project which he said will boost productivity, create digital innovations and jobs for more youths.
Earlier Principal of the Institute, Prof Sunny Iyuke disclosed that a total of one thousand graduates will be awarded with various certificates, ranging from the National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and the General Welding Certificate.
He added that since 1972 the Institute has established a lot of students who have graduated, inspiring e that the insidious w will continue to play the leading role in the oil and gas industry by turning out quality graduates to meet the challenges of the oil sector.
The Principal however appealed to the Petroleum Training Development Fund (PTDF) to complete the hostels, the new academic building, the renovation of the printing press and the installation of training equipment which are on ground in various departments.
He added that there are a lot of ongoing projects being carried out by the institute, stressing that the projects when completed will boost the development of local capacity in the oil and gas industry.
On the occasion, the eminent Nigerians, Chief Edwin Clark, Ovie Frank Kokori and Chief(Senator) Nimi Barigha-Amange, an old student of the institute, were honored with Fellow Awards.
