FG to commission two modular refineries in Delta, Bayelsa – Kachikwu

As part of efforts to stop illegal refining of crude oil and its attendant deleterious impact on the environment, the Federal Government on Saturday said it is expected to commission two modular refineries in Warri and Bayelsa States by the end of this year.

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu made this revelation in Warri during the 2018 graduation ceremony of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State.

Kachikwu who received the PTI Life  Recognition Award at the occasion, noted that the Federal Government had earlier given licenses for 38 modular refineries adding that the refineries are at various stages of completion.

The Minister of state, Petroleum Resources, said “the development of modular refineries would help to address the perennial shortage of domestic supply of petroleum products, create jobs and stop illegal refining of crude oil and the attendant deleterious impact of the practice on the environment.”

Kachikwu also said that the Federal Government is increasing attention to the eradication of gas flaring, utilization, and monetization of the abundant gas resources of the country.

“This is in realization of the place of natural gas as the energy of the future. Although, it is not yet Uhuru as a substantial quantity of this precious resource is still being wasted through routine flaring, the Federal Government has become conscious of the need to be on the drivers seat to drive the optimization of value from this resource.

“The Federal Government has doubled her efforts in ensuring effective policies that would drive gas utilization and commercialization. We have decided to invest in the Seven Critical Gas Development Projects in Nigeria. These projects would deliver about 3.4 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day to bridge the medium-term supply gap by 2020,” Kachikwu added.

On the Nigeria National Gas Policy which was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2017, Kachikwu said implementation for the realization of its full potentials to the Nigerian economy is ongoing

He added that the policy is key to the realization of a full-blown domestic gas market in Nigeria in the nearest future, but lamented that Nigeria lacks critical manpower in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the gas industry.

Kachikwu stressed that since PTI is pivotal towards building formal and informal competency through the Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) programme that is conspicuously provided for in the policy, the Federal Government will site the Nigerian Gas in the Petroleum Training Institute for the training and certification of Technicians, Technologists, and Engineers in gas and its related fields.

“The Federal Government will continue to encourage, support and fund the Petroleum Training Institute to enable it fulfil its original mandate of providing competent technological manpower through quality training and re-training of personnel in the oil and gas industries, thereby reducing capital flight in conformity with the change agenda of the present administration,” Kachikwu said.

Kachikwu noted that in keeping with its mandate, the institute would be able to solve the problems of high production cost, long contract life cycle, oil spills, crude oil theft and insecurity, among others, hoping that the Institute can proffer solutions to these problems through her training and skill acquisition programmes.

“Let me reiterate that the Federal Government is deeply committed to research and development in the sector, as the Oil and Gas Industry cannot thrive without research. On this note, I must commend the Principal and Chief Executive of PTI, Prof. Sunny E. Iyuke for establishing the Directorate of Research and Development in the Institute,” Kachikwu added.

On the Niger Delta and security issues, the Minster said the collaborative work done with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and state governments, the region now has relative peace, adding that the federal government hopes to sustain the tempo and improve on it.

“Our continuous engagement with stakeholders and partnership with PANDEF has added value to the process of ensuring peace in the region,” Kachikwu noted.

He advised the graduands to set goals that will give them a balanced and successful life.

“I would also like to leave you with the words of Steve Jobs which says, Your time is limited, so dont waste it living someone elses life. Dont let the noise of others opinions drown your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. I congratulate you once again,” Kachikwu told the granduands.

The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, in his goodwill message, challenged the Petroleum Training Institute to engage in research that will assist the Oil and Gas Industry in achieving its full potentials through value added and finished products, expressing his administrstion’s readiness to collaborate with the Institute in achieving her mission and vision.

On his part, the Chairman, PTI Governing Council,  Mr. M. Ladan said the Federal Government has put machinery in place to reposition the Petroleum Training Institute to better meet the dynamic needs of the oil industry.

“In order to achieve this, government has set up a Steering and Technical Committee. The committee is charged with the responsibility, amongst others, of reviewing the PTI mandate in line with global best practices. This will involve developing an implementable framework for the repositioning of PTI to meet its mandate of providing competent technological manpower through quality training, research and consultancy for the petroleum and allied industries,” Mr Ladan said.

Earlier, The Principal and Chief Executive, PTI, Sunny E. Iyuke, said A total of four hundred (400) graduates will be awarded National Diploma, six hundred and thirty nine (639) graduates will be awarded the Higher National Diploma, while forty seven (47) graduates will receive the PTI General Welding Certificate.

Iyuke appealed to the IOCs and other operators in the Petroleum Industry to accept their students and avail them the opportunity to prove themselves, imploring the Council Chairman, Director, Department of Petroleum Resources to intervene in this regard.