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NCDMB Commissions Centre Of Excellence For OEM

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The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, has commissioned PE Energy’s ultra-modern Centre of Excellence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which would provide services in Automation, Process and Systems Integration as well as Valve Assembly, Valve Actuation, Metering Systems, Pump and Compressor Solutions.
The facility would also offer services in Instrument Fitting Manufacturing and Service Lines, Training and Competence Assessment, in addition to assembling Early Production Facilities (EPFs) and Mobile Production Units (MOPUs) which are essential in the nation’s aspiration to increase oil and gas production.
Speaking at the event attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international and local oil and gas operating companies, Wabote commended PE Energy for contributing to the growth of the Nigerian oil and gas sector and Nigerian Content.
He hinted that the company’s area of speciality in Automation, Process and System Integration is of special interest to the board, especially as the oil and gas industry prepares itself to fully tap into the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He stated that the industry was going into an era where massive adoption of technology and innovation would become the norm, adding that “from unmanned FPSO’s to carbon capture technologies to achieve net-zero emissions, from Big Data Analytics for seismic surveys to the use of Augmented Realities for Human Capacity Development, the board is delighted that Nigerian industry players are keen to adopt and deploy these new innovations.”
Wabote described PE’s Centre of Excellence as an excellent addition to top-notch facilities that showcases the success of Local Content in Nigeria and enhances the journey to the actualisation of the 10-year strategic roadmap targeted to achieve 70percent Nigerian Content in the oil and gas sector by the year 2027.
He also lauded PE Energy’s partnership with global brands in the automation and instrumentation industry, adding that such partnerships would enhance the acquisition of skills by the employees of PE Energy Ltd.
He stated that “the quality of the facility guarantees that none of the international operating companies would have any doubt that if given an assignment to PE Energy, it would produce the same quality you will see outside Nigeria.”
While commending the international oil companies for their continuous support in the successful implementation of Nigerian Content, he noted that PE Energy’s Centre of Excellence would lead to cost reduction and enhancement of the reliability and availability of oil companies’ production facilities.
In his address, the Managing Director of PE Energy Limited, Engr. Daere Akobo said that the facility was 100percent local driven, from administration to technology, adding that the state-of-the-art facility spreads across an area of 10,820sqm.
He noted that the multi-million-dollar investment had positioned the company as an automation process and system integration company in the service of critical process value chain in the oil and gas industry, offering innovative solutions for the exploration, extraction, processing, transportation, and distribution sectors.
Reeling out the company’s capacities, Akobo said that the firm had delivered projects across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and Ghana, and had also acquired a seismic detection technology and got approval from President Muhammadu Buhari to fly the northern basin of the country.
Akobo announced that the Centre of Excellence would consolidate the partnership between NCDMB and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and focus on material substitution, which entails research and development in the use of raw materials for the formulation of drilling and completion fluids and additives.
He added that the facility would provide linkage between the industry and academia and serve as a Competence Assessment Centre and contribute towards the creation of highly competent manpower through hands-on training in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu underscored the ministry’s contributions to the promotion of Nigerian businesses and partnerships.
He added that “Once a business has the blessings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it achieves better results, rather than just going out to engage international partners on their own.”
Tanimu hinted that the ministry promotes the Nigerian Content Policy and was canvasses for international companies to set up facilities in Nigeria and take advantage of the large market.
He charged operators of the oil industry to patronise PE Energy to ensure return on investment and encourage other investors in the sector.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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