EFFURUN/Nigeria: Human Capital Development has been identified as catalyst for the realisation of stronger Delta agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Mrs Gladys Puegeren, made the remark at a four-day training workshop organized for directors and top management staff in the ministry at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mrs Puegeren while saying that the training was centred on “Strategic Skills Needed for Enterprise Development in the Oil and Gas Industry’, explained that the objective was to expose participants to the requisite knowledge of the operation of the oil and gas sector.
According to her, the training would enhance their effective and efficient performance of their duties, stressing that it was in line with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s agenda on human capital development.
She assured that the training would afford participants first-hand knowledge on the vital issues in the oil and gas sector, adding that the topics were carefully chosen to reflect all relevant aspects, particularly on new and emerging trends and issues related to the oil and gas sector.
“You will agree with me that this training is imperative, given the strategic role this ministry plays in the scheme of affairs of the Delta State Government.
“I am certain that you will find the programme insightful and valuable. There is an interactive session between participants and trainers during the course to ensure that it is practical oriented,” Puegeren stressed.
Meanwhile, the Chief Facilitator of the training and Managing Director/Chief Executive of FUPRE Energy Solution Limited, Dr Omonigho Otanocha, scoffed at the hues and cries over the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), saying that it was stale by over 20 years.
Otanocha, a senior lecturer in FUPRE, described as the only petroleum university in Africa, acceded that to oil resource depletion theory but denounced the view of ‘insignificance of crude oil’, arguing that over 2, 000 products were derivable from oil.
While asserting that the issues canvassed in the PIB were only relevant about 20 years ago, he disclosed that FUPRE was in the forefront of research and provision of appropriate technology for energy
“Oil is going down in value and use all over the world. Hence, the issues canvassed in the PIB were only relevant about 20 years ago, but it is no longer the case, due to emerging energy sources.
”FUPRE is in the forefront of research and provision of appropriate technology for energy, due to the fact that there are over 2, 000 products derivable from oil,” he said.
A former director in Chevron, Mr Alex Neyin, an engineer and a resource person at the training, supported Otanocha position, saying, “Oil had indeed changed in utility.”
The training was facilitated by the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) and Energy Solution Nigeria Limited. And held at the Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE Africa), Effurun
