Rivers Tasks NLNG On Train Seven

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), to start the planned Train Seven Projects that will boost its production output and increase its contributions to the country’s economy.
Wike stated this at the commissioning of the NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering Building at the University of Port Harcourt, Institute of Petroleum Studies.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Wike said Rivers State is the hub of oil and gas industry in the country, and it was natural for the state to be ranked as the best in oil and gas engineering education in Nigeria.
Wike noted that at a time when the nation is bedevilled by the recurring fuel shortages, growing local demands for energy, transportation and power generation, the state should be looking forward to proffering solutions to the perennial problems of energy supply in the country.
“Let me assure you that the state through this collaboration, shall further reinforce its position as the hub of the Industry and help the country to confront it energy challenges”, he asserted.
He commended NLNG for the initiative and partnership with the state government, through its educational intervention strategy by offering overseas scholarships to students to study at different levels which has in turn, strengthened the educational sector.
The State Chief Executive further called on the University of Port Harcourt to meet the expectations of government by transforming the centre into an epicentre of modern energy research.
In his key note address, Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Mr. Babs Omotowa, said the management of the company approved the University Support Programme (USP) in 2013, one for each geo-political zone and the selection was based on the institution’s ranking in educational achievements.
Omotowa explained that NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering building is fully equipped with modern laboratory facilities and a modular refinery to aid academic endeavours.
He explained that NLNG, since coming on board, has utilized several cubic of liquefied gas that would have otherwise been wasted through flaring, noting that the company has helped in reducing the cost of cooking gas, contributed immensely to the revenue base of the nation as well as creation of employment for the citizenry.
The managing director promised that his company will contribute and support the Federal Government to actualize the completion of the Ogoni-Bonny Road to link the various communities by road and enhance socio-economic growth.
He, therefore, called on the University of Port Harcourt, the Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) to ensure full utilization of the project for the benefit of the Nation.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonna Onu, represented by Prof. Bala, assured of the Federal Government determination to invest in science and technology to move the country forward, and lauded NLNG for embarking on meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ndowa Lale, said NLNG as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility donated to the university, $2million state-of-the-art Engineering Laboratory that will help boost training, research and capacity building of the students of the university.
He said the centre which was established five years ago, aims at transforming the downstream oil and gas industry into the economic engine room for job creation, national development, in line with Nigeria content development initiative of the Federal Government.