Group calls on FG, others to support programmes on oil, gas investment 

The National Coordinator, CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade said the programme will be comprehensive as trainees will be empowered with company registration with Coporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (CAC), Department of Petroleum  resources (DPR).

Mulade added that the youths will also be guided on how to become contractors, vendors and trade partners to National Nigeria Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), Refining and Petrochemical companies, (RPC) and International NGO’s.

He however, pleaded with local refinery operators in the Niger-Delta region not to engage in illegal oil bunkering as a means of livelihood.

He revealed that CEPEJ was coming up with the Oil and Gas integration Programmes to harness the talent of refining crude oil products locally into legal oil and gas business venture for sustenance.

Comrade Mulade who spoke to BusinessDay in Abuja, noted that some youths in the Niger-Delta region may have engaged in the illegal oil bunkering due to the bad economy and high rate of unemployment in the country, but lamented that such risky venture of illegal oil refining has led to loss of many lives as a result of fire outbreak, abandonment of farmlands destroyed by oil spill and fishing which initially serve as their sources of income and sustenance.

He further noted that there are numerous disadvantages of local crude oil refining which includes exposure of the region and the people to the dangers of food scarcity, shortfall in budget, release of toxic gases and harmful substance that causes air and water pollution.

Mulade said the programme will help to reduce the activities of illegal oil bunkering and improve the economy of the country.

According to him; “The solution to the problem is education, orientation, information and integration, it is pertinent to note that from analysis in some of the Niger-Delta States, there is reduced farming and fishing practices due to adverse effect of the illegal oil bunkering which has destroyed the ecosystem that sustains the people hence there is need to remediate the environment and educate the people.

“CEPEJ is making all necessary arrangements to commence Oil and Gas orientation and integration Programmes across the Niger-Delta, the programme is aimed at training and integrating Youths from the region into the lucrative oil and gas industry.”