News
NNPC Reaffirms Support To PETAN
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The Chief Executive Officer/Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari has said that the NNPC was a permanent collaborator with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) as the new company continually adopts technology for cost optimisation and higher professional efficiency, translating into higher value for oil and gas industry stakeholders across the country.
Kyari, who was speaking while receiving a delegation from PETAN, who paid him a courtesy call at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, added that the NNPC values the contributions of PETAN to the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and would continue to keep the association in the loop, especially in its Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimisation Programme (NUCOP), an industry-wide initiative designed to optimise Nigeria’s upstream operating expenses through process enhancement and industry collaboration.
“Empowering collaborators like PETAN is strategic because of ongoing reforms in the NNPC – aimed at repositioning the company to better serve shareholders, including PETAN member companies and all Nigerians and substantial progress is being made in this regard. Our critical initiatives are geared towards stimulating activities back to our industry on the back of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), so PETAN is a major partner to us in our value-added activities”.
He urged PETAN members to be mindful of flurry of activities centred around gas expansion, penetration, monetisation and export as the nation’s transition fuel, saying that the future of the Nigerian energy sector is gas, which is attracting massive investments and keeping the NNPC as the energy company of the present and future.
Kyari, who pledged support for PETAN’s annual #SAIPEC in Lagos as well as the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) – the Nigerian Pavilion of which the association organises in Houston, Texas – added that the new NNPC was undergoing re-branding and needs such platforms such as the two to showcase its new identity to industry players.
Earlierin his remarks, the Chairman, PETAN, Mr. Nicolas Odinuwe, had congratulated the NNPC on its new status and ongoing reforms, and said that the purpose of PETAN’s courtesy call was to extend its members’ best wishes for success of the CEO on his more challenging task and a more vibrant oil and gas industry post-COVID.
He urged the NNPC to renew its partnership efforts with PETAN as well as garner the company’s support for the association’s present and future industry events which has primarily focused on burning industry issues such as harnessing our local content, reducing and eliminating carbon emissions, renewable energy and nurturing collaborations for economic enhancement throughout Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Odinuwe said that as the foremost oil and gas association in Nigeria, PETAN, which has also been undergoing restructuring of its own, aligns strongly with ongoing reforms at the NNPC and wishes for its continued partnership in its local content drive.
“We have come to enlist your support and participation at both SAIPEC, holding in Lagos between February 22-25, 2022 and OTC in May, 2022. Since the onset of Nigeria’s participation at OTC in Houston, NNPC’s presence with her stand in the Nigerian Pavilion and as a major sponsor and participant has brought pride to Nigerians.
“This is also true for SAIPEC. We are therefore seeking your continued presence to show participating African countries and beyond, the Nigerian government’s commitment to the oil, gas and renewable energy sector as well as to showcase your latest and developing ideas and technologies to show that the industry is thriving beyond compare in Nigeria”.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
