SGF urges institute to drive FG’s agenda towards cleaner sources of energy

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha has urged the Nigerian Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) to drive the Federal Government’s agenda of global movement towards cleaner sources of energy.

Mustapha made the call during the PTI’ 50th anniversary conference/award ceremony in Abuja.

The SGF also called on the institute to drive government’s roadmap to end gas flaring.

“This should be part of your target for growth and development of the oil and gas industry.

“I also urge the institute to re-access its relationship with the major players of the oil and gas sector with the aim of meeting their expectations,” he said.

He commended the institute for attaining 50 years of delivering quality training in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and in sub-sahara African continent.

“I congratulate PTI for preserving and maintaining the relevance of the oil and gas industry for 50 years and for organising this conference and award ceremony to celebrate the institute.

“The vision of the founding fathers of PTI was to address the inadequacy of the indigenous requirements to man and operate an efficient petroleum industry.

“This industry was largely dominated by foreign expatriate who were at the forefront, and this brings about exploitation of our crude oil production.

“This issue brought about the establishment of PTI to train our indigenous expatriate which has today resulted to 50 years sustainable training of workers in the industry, and the graduation of over 50,000 students.

“Many of these trainees were absorbed as employees of the sector. I urged the institute to take stock of its performance and challenges in the face of today technology, as well as project its aspiration for future,” he said.

Also speaking, Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd, stated that the oil and gas industry was changed rapidly in the positive direction because of the change of attitude by Nigerians and industry players.

He said that companies were making massive decision which he added that it had also brought about the positive change currently witnessing in the oil and gas industry.

“In our country today, we have so much energy, 80 per cent of the population can now boast of electricity.

“Energy is necessary in our day to day dealing, businesses are changing, companies are shifting their focus, we must deliver energy, training and innovation technology must be a focus for us in a manner that will help to deliver energy.

“This energy will bring about efficiency. Without energy there will be no recovery of value and you will keep losing so many things.

It was reported that on Sept. 13 in Abuja, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry joined the Government of Nigeria to sign a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and seven companies to support the clean energy transition by working to procure clean energy in Nigeria.

The seven companies are AB InBev, Akamai, HP, Iron Mountain, Lady Lawyer Foundation, Rife International, and Unilever.

It was reported that together, the companies seek to unlock investment in clean energy infrastructure arising from commercial and industrial sector operations.

This collaboration will help develop robust, reliable, transparent, cost-competitive, and credible procurement options that comply with labor laws in Nigeria to help meet clean energy targets, increase energy security, and enable corporations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI) serves as a platform for stakeholder engagement and country partnerships and creates a venue for companies and countries to signal investment potential in clean energy, share experiences, and support each other on policy reform that contributes to affordable and resilient energy systems to drive economic growth.

It was reported that Nigeria and corporate partners have signaled support for principles to enable corporate renewable procurement, ramping up deployment and accelerating the energy transition in support of global climate goals.