FG partners NIPetE for capacity building

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to a strong partnership with the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers to advance the oil and gas industry through capacity building.

Lokpobiri while receiving the delegation of the institution led by its National Chairman, Prisca Kanebi, in his office in Abuja recently, reiterated the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with NIPetE in key areas, including capacity building in universities and enhancing professional practices to boost and sustain oil production in Nigeria.

At the meeting, the National Chairman of NiPeTE formally invited the minister to the institution’s 3rd annual conference to be held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on October 31 and November 1.

 She outlined NIPetE’s goals, which include fostering collaboration between industry and academia in petroleum engineering, acting as a watchdog for educational and professional practices, and encouraging major industry operators to sponsor training equipment and laboratories at universities.

 Kanebi highlighted NIPetE’s initiative to facilitate sabbaticals for academic petroleum engineers with leading Nigerian exploration and production companies, enabling them to provide fresh insights into operational challenges.

In response, Lokpobiri expressed concern over current low oil production levels and emphasised the need to leverage the expertise of NIPetE members to tackle the challenges of increasing oil output, crucial for the nation’s economic growth.

The minister acknowledged significant investments in industry capacity but noted a lack of tangible results, calling for a new approach to ensure Nigeria’s success.

He committed to attending the upcoming NIPetE conference and proposed establishing a collaborative agenda, to be reviewed quarterly, to guide their partnership moving forward.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]