To ensure success of Port Harcourt International Oil and Gas, (PHIOG) conference and exhibition  members of PHIOG organising committee led by its chairman, Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi says a viable partnership is  imperative, Hon Bipi stated this while on courtesy visit to Shell, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority and Brawal Oil Services Limited in Onne at the weekend.

Accompained by his Vice, Chief Dandison Gbupo and Elder Amabipi Martins, Chairman, Vice chairman and Publicity Consultant of the committee respectively,  Hon Bipi emphasised the need for management of the companies to partner with the committee to reap immensely from benefits of the conference and to also contribute their quota in ensuring that the  oil and gas conference meets its objective.

While at Shell, Bipi  observed that the company is obviously the biggest among the oil majors in the country and  requested its acceptance of being the lead sponsor of the event.  “We appreciate your previous sponsorship, but we want you to take centre stage as lead sponsors, it will afford you the opportunity to showcase your goods, services and CSR to the entire world” he said, adding that participation of huge multinationals like Shell will add more impetus to the event.

Speaking about the theme for this year’s conference ‘THE NIGERIA CONTENT ACT AND DEREGULATION: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS’, publicity consultant of the group, Elder Amabipi Martins expressed joy that Shell has an office in charge of local content, according to him the conference is another opportunity to showcase and exhibit what the company has been able to do in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility and general participation in its attempt to give back to communities where they operate.

In the same vein, the vice chairman of the committee, Chief Dandison Gbupo in his remark noted that the committee is determined to place the state in its pride of place among comity of states that serve as hub of oil and gas. “We intend to use the 2012 event to rebrand the PHIOG conference and have a more acceptable global brand. Our various visits for partnership and participation for both the oil and gas conference and the 1st ever Nigeria Oil and Gas golf Tournament is a reflection of our resolve to achieve success. Let me therefore state that our visit to Shell is to make it more official otherwise considering that the company is a very important stakeholder in the industry we want to say welcome once more aboard’ he was quoted as saying.

The 1st deputy president of PHCCIMA, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu in his remark said the event is a dress rehearsal to greater oil and gas conference in the state. He commended Shell for their continuous partnership and assured them of greater things are in the future.

The Shell management team was led by its Corporate/ Government and Community Relations Manager, Mr. Fufeyin Funkapo, the Corporate Head Lands & Compensation team, Franca Obinatu, the Communications Manager, Peter Adamiete, Government Relations Adviser, Boma Alamina and the GM Nigerian Content Development, Mr. Igo Weli were all on hand to showcase the effort of Shell for their hosts. According to the company’s GM Nigerian Content Development, Mr. Igho Weli he said the company has contributed to increase in employment, developing capacities and helping government to increase its revenue through GMOU’s, CSR Projects, community content, interdependency, interventions and various other initiatives.

Mr. Weli after an incisive session had also expressed confidence in the success of the upcoming event and promised that Shell will partner with the committee like they have always done in past years.

The PHIOG train also moved to the Oil and Gas free zone Authority in Onne, Eleme where they paid a courtesy call on the General Manager, Mr. Victor Alabo. Chairman of the committee who is also the chairman Energy and Natural Resources committee of the Rivers state house Assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi said the committee’s visit was to solicit for support and partnership in the upcoming conference. He noted that the event will undoubtedly assist in unraveling and boosting the potentials in the oil and gas free zone. Bipi explained that the Rivers State house of Assembly is partnering with Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce (PHCCIMA), Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and PENWELL for this year’s event to ensure that the 3rd edition meets its objective. He commended the management of Oil and Gas Free zone Authority for attracting investment into the oil and gas sector in the state, reassuring that vistas of opportunities will open with the new found synergy with both group.

In his remark, the General Manager of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Mr Victor Alabo commended the delegation for the visit, he said his management was initially surprise that the authority were yet to be notified about an event of such magnitude like the Port Harcourt Oil and Gas Conference only weeks to the event, but however promised that having been briefed officially, the Onne oil and gas free zone authority will definitely partner with the committee for the conference.