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UNIPORT Tasks Shell On Geosciences Centre Of Excellence

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The University of Port Harcourt, has tasked the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to establish a world-class Geosciences Centre of Excellence in the institution to train a pool of reservoir engineers to replenish the depleting stock of professionals in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Don Baridam, who threw the challenge during the inauguration of the 2009 Shell Summer School at the University of Port Harcourt, recently, said the establishment of the centre at this time will address the problem of dearth of competent and well trained reservoir engineers to drive Nigeria’s quest for more oil fields and sustain the nation’s position in the exploration and production industry.
Prof Baridam noted that “with globalisation, internationally trained graduates are in high demand to work in multidisciplinary oil and gas field development and studies”, adding that “as the frontier of oil and gas exploration expands into deeper depths in the Gulf of Guinea and the need to manage mature fields increases, so will the need for competent reservoir geoscientists expand”.
According to him, a survey has shown that, “the training of world-class petroleum geoscientists is dying in Africa and this prompted the University of Port Harcourt to include the establishment of a centre for petroleum geosciences in its 2003-2013 Strategic Plan”.
The UNIPORT Vice Chancellor said the field of geosciences was increasingly becoming sophisticated in technology and software applications, and lamented that Nigerian universities were ill-equipped and under-funded to cope with these challenges.
He, therefore, solicited “the support of Shell in the establishment of a Centre for Petroleum Geosciences at the University of Port Harcourt to produce high quality graduates in this very important field and effectively contribute to ameliorate the dearth of world-class petroleum geoscientists in Africa.”
“This centre will be a centre of excellence in geosciences”, he said, adding that both “Shell and the University of Port Harcourt will develop a modular course scheme that will draw from the pools of staff from the university and Shell to strengthen the academic and industry interface”.
Prof Baridam noted the establishment of the Institute of Petroleum Studies at the university in 2003 in partnership with IFP School, France, and the solid support of TOTAL E&P Nigeria Limited which helped ensure international recognition for the degree programmes of the institute, and promised Shell that a similar feat awaits the proposed Centre for Petroleum Geosciences, if the partnership works out.
Responding, General Manager, Geosciences, Shell, Mr Nedo Osayande, said the company has had substantial footprints in the university, which include support of the establishment of the ICT Centre, and the Shell–Aret Adams Professorial Chair, equipment and library support, sponsorship of UNIPORT students to Society of Petroleum Engineers annual conference in Abuja as well as the Gourami competition in Portugal, the provision of opportunities for 25 lecturers to undergo their sabbaticals and 24 research internships between 2001 and 2009.
Osayande, who represented SPDC Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, said Shell firmly believes that the long-term relationship between it and the University of Port Harcourt will continue to be mutually beneficial, and promised to forward the institution’s request to Shell management for consideration.

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Council Boss Sues For Love, Unity

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As Christians across the world celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, has advised Nigerians to love one another.
Mr. Apiafi said the period should be used for sober reflection and demonstration of love, unity and  embracing the message of Easter.
This was contained in his Easter message and made available to media houses yesterday, saying that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has equally given birth to a new season of faith, hope , sacrifice and prosperity.
The administrator  further used the forum to call on all indigenes and those doing business in the Local Government Area to be their brothers’ keeper at all times.
“As we celebrate the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us  soberly reflect and demonstrate love and unity  particularly indigenes of Opobo/Nkoro,” he said.
Mr. Apiafi reiterated that welfare of workers and the good people  of  the  area would be paramount in his administration.

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Gunmen Abduct Six Travellers In Kwara

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Seven passengers travelling from Abuja to Kwara State were abducted on Saturday along Obbo-Ayegunle road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Three children of the abducted victims were, however, later released by the unidentified kidnappers, according to reports reaching The Tide’s source in Ilorin yesterday.
The abduction occurred between 17:00-18:00 hours, while the passengers were on board a Sienna vehicle owned by Olumoh Express transport company, heading to Offa from Abuja.
All attempts made so far by the local vigilante to rescue the victims were unsuccessful.
Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the development.
“Armed hoodlums numbering about eight reportedly intercepted a Sienna bus registered FFA 50XD, heading to Offa from Abuja and forcefully abducted seven occupants including the driver.
“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives in collaboration with local vigilantes, responded swiftly to the scene.
“The vehicle was recovered to the nearest police formation. During a coordinated search of the surrounding bush, three children aged between two and 12 years were located and safely rescued.
“One of the children was able to give the police detailed information of her guardian who was contacted and the three rescued children have been reunited with their relatives,” the statement added.
The command said it has intensified efforts through discreet investigation, intelligence gathering and sustained bush combing to track down the perpetrators and secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, reiterated the commitment of the command to the safety and protection of all residents, urging those with useful information to report through the established channels of the state police command.

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HYPREP Moves To Complete Ongoing Projects This Year

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The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP)  has set machinery in motion to complete ongoing projects this year in line with its new policy thrust.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication while addressing participants during the Project’s first quarter interactive session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, said the agency is this year, drawing from a new policy thrust that prioritises timely completion of all projects within stated timelines.
The Project Coordinator noted that as a community-based project, HYPREP understands the urgency of protecting the environment and improving livelihoods in line with its mandate.
He disclosed that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration(CEER) for example, is currently being painted,  as part of its final finishing works, stressing that HYPREP is ensuring that the centre is commissioned this year for public use.
According to him, the Technical Planning Committee for the CEER had  submitted its report which contains various recommendations for the operationalisation of the centre.
He further disclosed that the shoreline remediation project is at a completion rate of 39.4 percent, saying, HYPREP has in this area recovered, evaluated and treated over 937,000 litres of oily sludge from the mangrove sediment, as well as evacuated over 1.7million kilogrammes of solid waste from the Ogoni creeks.
According to him, the mangrove restoration project has reached 86 percent completion rate, while the monitoring of the planted mangrove grids is progressing well.
He said HYPREP has also initiated a practical framework for long-term monitoring to ensure the Project’s objectives are met.
The Project Coordinator said HYPREP has achieved significant milestones in the ongoing construction of new water facilities in Ogoni communities, stressing that it is determined to commission the new water facilities in the various communities in the third quarter of this year.
He assured the participants that HYPREP would commission water facilities  every two months in Ogoni communities.
Zabbey announced that the Creative Arts training for more Ogoni youths would begin in the second quarter of the year, while other array of interventions to support small and medium scale businesses would be rolled out in the coming weeks.
He revealed that the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital has advanced to a completion rate of 70 percent, while that of  Buan Cottage Hospital has reached 93.8 percent.
He also disclosed that in March, the Project Coordination Office took delivery of the first batch of equipment and electrical parts for the Ogoni Power Project, and expects further deliveries in this second quarter.
Zabbey said HYPREP has also deepened its engagement with critical stakeholders, including Ogoni youths and women, adding that this periodic interactive session remains a key part of its yearly work plan to ensure that their voices are heard.
He hinted that some selected youth leaders would benefit from the second batch of the Ogoni traditional rulers and other key stakeholders workshop on mechanism for alternative dispute resolution.
At the interactive session, Dr Sorbarikor Lebura of the Rivers State University delivered a keynote address on how to be on the right side of history, and encouraged Ogoni youths to always strive to be on the right side of history through their actions.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee told the participants that the project is working hard to close out on the training of 5,000 Ogoni youths and women by ensuring that all trainees get their starter packs.
She  assured persons living with disabilities in particular that HYPREP would provide more empowerment opportunities to them.
Also, the Head of Potable Water Unit, Mr Lucky Ikue announced that the Terebor water scheme, which had been out of use for some time now, due to technical glitches, would be functional soon, as the station manager has been relieved of his duties.

By: Donatus Ebi

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