Oil & Energy
10 Benefit From Shell’s Post Graduate Scholarship
The Shell Petroleum De
velopment Company (SPDC) has offered overseas scholarship to 10 beneficiaries of the 2013 edition of the Niger Delta Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme in three prestigious Universities in the United Kingdom.
The 10 beneficiaries who passed through rigorous screening exercises to access the scheme are selected from the three catchment states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers state.
Speaking at the induction, award and send forth ceremony for the beneficiaries at the Ebitimi Banigo auditorium, University of Port Harcourt, yesterday. The Vice President SEPCIN, Tony Attah, said the scholarship was to stimulate competition among students to build the right capacity for the development of the oil and gas industry, Attah, who was represented by, Mr. Charles Brandy, congratulated the beneficiaries, and urged them to be committed to their studies, so as to bring to bear their experiences in the oil and gas industry. He said SPDC has an agreement with three universities, in the United Kingdom, which include, University College London, Imperial College London, and University of Leeds, adding that the scholarship scheme was strictly on merit.
In his remark, the head Community Content of SPDC, Camillus Umoh, said SPDC was committed to building capacity in the oil and gas sector, and urged potential beneficiaries to take advantage of the scholarship scheme, to contribute their quota of development to the sector.
He said Uniport was chosen as the venue for the send forth event to avail students of Uniport to access the opportunities.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, SEPCIN, Mr. Igo Weli, said the scholarship scheme was intended to drive the vision of the company in line with the content development act which emphasises the use of indigenous human and material resources in the oil and gas industry.
Weli, who was represented by Mr. Segun Adebayo pointed out that manpower development was critical in the oil and gas sector, and added that the initiative will contribute in filling the gap in manpower development. He called on the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of SPDC and Nigeria in general.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka commended Shell for the scholarship scheme. Prof. Ajienka, who was represented by the Dean of Students Affairs of the University, Prof. Henry Belgam said Uniport was repositioned to offer the need capacity development for growth in all spheres of the Nigerian economy.
In their responses, some of the beneficiaries of the scheme, thanked SPDC for the opportunities provided and assured that they will be committed to their studies to make SPDC and indeed Nigeria proud. Highlight of the event was the presentation of the awards to the beneficiaries.
Taneh Beemene
Nigeria’s losses due to crude oil theft has been said to be more significant than those of some other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).
The Chairman, Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Senator Ned Nwoko, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Nwoko noted with dismay the detrimental impact of the issue, which, he said include economic damage, environmental destruction, and its impact on host communities.
According to him, the theft was not only weakening the Naira, but also depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District described the scale of the theft as staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day.
Nwoko disclosed that the ad hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft, which he chairs, recently had a two-day public hearing on the rampant theft of crude oil through illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and the systemic gaps in the regulation and surveillance of the nation’s petroleum resources.
According to him, the public hearing was a pivotal step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
‘’Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft. This is severely undermining our economy, weakening the Naira and depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social development.
‘’The scale of this theft is staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day more than some OPEC member nations produce.
‘’This criminal enterprise fuels corruption, funds illegal activities and devastates our environment through spills and pollution.
‘’The public hearing was not just another talk shop; it was a decisive platform to uncover the root causes of crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
‘’It was a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms; Identify regulatory and legislative gaps that enable these crimes to thrive.
‘’It was also to engage stakeholders, security agencies, host communities, oil companies, regulators, and experts to proffer actionable solutions; and strengthen legal frameworks to ensure stricter penalties and more efficient prosecution of offenders”, he said.
Nwoko noted that Nigeria’s survival depended
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) has called on Nigerian companies to position themselves strategically to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in upcoming offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
The Managing Director, SNEPCO, Ronald Adams, made the call at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) Conference, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last Thursday.
Adams highlighted the major projects, including Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North, and the Bonga Main Life Extension, as key areas where Nigerian businesses can grow their capacity and increase their involvement.
“Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot to benefit if they are prepared to take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
“Projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life Extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher value contracts”, Adams stated.
Adams noted that SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater oil exploration with the Bonga development and has since played a key role in growing local industry capacity.
He emphasized that Nigerian businesses could expand in key areas like logistics, drilling, and the construction of vital equipment such as subsea systems, mooring units, and gas processing facilities.
The SNEPCO boss explained that since production began at the Bonga field in 2005, SNEPCo has worked closely with Nigerian contractors to build systems and develop a skilled workforce capable of delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget both in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to him, this long-term support has enabled local firms to take on key roles in managing the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which reached a major milestone by producing its one-billion barrel of oil on February 3, 2023.
The Emohua Local Government Area Administrator, Franklin Ajinwo, has pledged to improve electricity distribution in Oduoha Ogbakiri and its environs.
Ajinwo made the pledge recently while playing host in a courtesy visit to the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, in his office in Rumuakunde.
He stated that arrangements are underway to enhance available power, reduce frequent outages, and promote steady electricity supply.
The move, he said, was aimed at boosting small and medium-scale businesses in the area.
“The essence of power is not just to have light at night. It’s for those who can use it to enhance their businesses”, he said.
The Administrator, who commended the peaceful nature of Ogbakiri people, urged the Chiefs to continue in promoting peace and stability, saying “meaningful development can only thrive in a peaceful environment”.
He also charged the Chiefs to protect existing infrastructure while promising to address the challenges faced by the community.
Earlier, the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, led by HRH Eze Goodluck Mekwa Eleni Ekenta XV, expressed gratitude to the Administrator over his appointment and pledged their support to his administration.
The chiefs highlighted challenges facing the community to include incessant power outage, need for new transformers, and the completion of Community Secondary School, Oduoha.
The visit underscored the community’s expectations from the LGA administration.
With Ajinwo’s assurance of enhancing electricity distribution and promoting development, the people of Oduoha Ogbakiri said they look forward to a brighter future.
By: King Onunwor