All Posts in "Day: November 23, 2021"

How Nigeria’s University Educational System Can Be Revamped Through Innovation And Enterprise Development- Prof. Isaac Ajayi

Wellspring University welcomes a new Vice Chancellor | Pulse Nigeria
There’s no doubt that the prosperity and wealth of nations rest largely on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Whilst many universities in western world are leading in this direction, universities in Nigeria still trail behind. In this write up, Prof. Isaac Ajayi, current Vice Chancellor, WellSpring University, Edo State, shares thought on the way forward for the nation’s educational sector.
Prof. Isaac Ajayi who has over thirty years’ experience in academia, as a teacher, researcher and administrator, says he has visited and worked in several world-class and top-rated universities in the USA and across Europe. He notes that his trips exposed him to the many innovative works going on in these institutions.
He explained that when juxtaposed with the situation in Nigeria, it’s evident that the unfortunate state of our higher education, especially with regard to the dearth of commercial research, puts the country far from digital age.
“To the glory of God, I am a strong advocate of innovation in universities.  I have been involved in innovation especially in foreign universities, and have taken part in some collaborative researches in Italy  and Germany. I am still actively involved in collaborative works with some of them. As Vice Chancellor, I am highly committed to the vision of Wellspring University in the direction of university innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Explaining what innovation is all about, Ajayi said innovation is responsible for prosperity and wealth of nations and the transformation of nations from underdeveloped to developed and  advanced nations.
“In a rapidly changing world, which has become knowledge driven, the global economic landscape has become increasingly more competitive.Only nations that are committed to imbibing entrepreneurial spirit through innovative ideas will remain relevant in the current global economy.”
From the industrial revolution of the 1800s to today’s digital revolution, innovation has been the driving force of economic growth and development. The evidence from developed economies shows that universities are the engine room of national development as they drive innovation, supply quality human capital, influence democratic development etc.”
On how he perceives our educational Sector, the innovative advocate says the general state of education in Nigeria today is a source of worry to all well-meaning Nigerians as the sector has degenerated from the point of providing the solution to being part of the problem.
He notes that until the University system prioritizes skills development to equip Nigerians with the right competencies for employability through investments in key programmes, particularly in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technology, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the nation will not witness the desired development. He also mentioned the need for digital literacy proficiency to drive innovation competitiveness and unlock the growth potential of various sectors.
Measuring the impact of tertiary education on national development, Prof. Ajayi explained that the high rate of graduate unemployment in the face of growth in higher education sector is seen by many as indicative of the failure of the sector to fulfill it’s mandate.
“The failure of this sector to make positive impact on national development is linked to such factors as funding challenges, lack of infrastructuceres and brain drain.”
The Vice Chancellor further added that the sector is also blamed for placing more emphasis on paper qualification as opposed to employability skills, innovation and creativity as well as lack of innovativeness evident in sheer dearth of scientific and technological advancement. He said it is hoped that the newly approved Nigeria’s Medium Term National Development Plan  2021-2025 will address these challenges as envisioned.
On why WellSpring University is being repositioned. The Vice Chancellor  explained that the institution in its 12th year is being positioned to compete globally and it’s in this regard, that the institution is focusing on three major pillars to achieve this objective.
They include; academic knowledge, skills development and research.
“Our university is focused with producing human capital for industries and as such the academic knowledge disseminated is relevant to contemporary changes in the future in that field. To achieve this we are addressing two key areas, that is, the Curriculum and the quality of individuals delivering the curriculum.”
On skills development, the VC noted that the rapid advancement in technology has brought changes to the world of work and this calls for a new set of competencies in addition to academic knowledge.
He stated that the institution is working assiduously to close the global skills gap through the creation of her Innovation Laboratory and the Centre for Entrepreneurship.
“The objective of the WellSpring University Innovation Lab is to foster technology transfer, learning and research. The faculty members here are a blend of industry experts and academia.” He noted.
He further said that the innovation hub hopes to establish deep relationships with various industries in the private sector with a blend of hybrid which will allow the lab to have rich pool of faculty members from around the world.
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in Education 0

ACDC President Believes YOBO Is Capable for the Job – Ogunspeaks Magazine
The  chairman of Aiyepe Area Community Development Community Development Committee (ACDC),Olaseni Kasumu,has scored his administration high,saying it has added value to the growth of Aiyepe in Odogbolu local government area of Ogun state.
He spoke at this year’s Aiyepe Day,where he expressed his team’s commitment to the growth of Aiyepe.
He said his team have been able to clear the drainages, ensure free flow of water to avoid flood,cut protruding trees on  the roads as well as  played its  part by facilitating the coming back of the Gateway Polytechnic, Aiyepe campus.
He also said his team  have  ensured we create an enabling environment of learning for students of this prestigious institution.
He added:Furthermore, we have refurbished the toilets of Aiyepe Comprehensive High School. We also employed and paid two security guards watching over the comprehensive high school. We remain grateful to the Aiyepe society UK/ IRELAND that has graciously refurbished the Aiyepe library with good books and has employed a librarian as well.
“Within the health sector, we are currently building an ultra modern health center, which is at lintel stage. We hope to achieve more within the health sector in Aiyepe as time goes by. Health is wealth as the maxim says and we believe a healthy population helps breed a motivated and succesful people who will always strive to aim high and achieve commendable exploits in various walks of life.”
He also said  his team  have put in place speed breakers and caution road signs to avoid over speeding and also secure lives and properties.
It organized a back to school outreach, targeted at encouraging and promoting education amongst Aiyepe school pupils and in line with our sustainable developmental goals.
It also gave  exercise books to pupils in our primary, secondary and private schools in Aiyepe and successfully boosted security by involving the Aiyepe society UK/ Ireland in lightning up Aiyepe with solar street lights.
He added:”We have also involved the Aiyepe society in the USA, by ensuring they purchased walkie talkies for our security personnel’s and also bought us a motor bike to facilitate our operations.In addition to these laudable achievements and in order to further beef up the security apparatus of our town, Aiyepe society in the USA are supporting us with a whooping sum of money every month to compliment the efforts of some prominent sons of Aiyepe who have been my pillar of support, with whom I have been able to finance and keep the Aiyepe Security apparatus functional.
“With all hands on deck, we can achieve more because a lot remains to be done.
I must mention at this juncture, that the constant and unflinching support of distinguished Aiyepe son’s and daughters has made my team and I achieve this much within this relatively short period.
This administration is using this medium in expressing it’s profound appreciation to everyone who contributed immensely to the success of this occasion
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in Oduduwa 0
 N342m Contract Scam : ICPC Secures Conviction Of NEPZA Employee

N342m Contract Fraud: ICPC Secures Conviction Of NEPZA Employee – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has secured the conviction of  Engineer Dasel Nanjwan, an employee of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).
ICPC’s spokesperson,  Mrs. Azuka Ogugua,said in a statement that  Engineer Nanjwan, was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Calabar Division of Court of Appeal for holding private interest in a N342 Million contract regarding the replacement of warehouses and factories at the Calabar Free Trade Zone.
Engineer Nanjwan was a member of the Technical Committee on the side of Federal Government in a negotiation with General Electric (GE) Africa, on investments in the Calabar Free Trade Zone as well as the owner and sole signatory to the account of Kwop-ri Services, the Company that won the contract.
He was initially arraigned by ICPC before a  Calabar High Court presided over by Justice Emily Ibok on a five – count charge which include knowingly holding private interest in a  N342 million contract connected with an office which he is employed, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
In a verdict  delivered at the High Court in Calabar by Justice Emily Ibok on19th May 2019, the defendant was discharged and acquitted of all charges.
Dissatisfied with the judgement, ICPC filed an appeal at the Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal.
The  appellate court in a unanimous judgement set aside the decision of the lower court and sentenced the defendant to three  years imprisonment
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in News 0
FG To Increase Funding Of Basic Education

FG moves to increase funding of basic education to 3 per cent of consolidated revenue fund
The Federal Government is considering a legislation that would lead to an increase in funding of basic education from the consolidated revenue purse.
Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, explained that the move would see an increase from the current 2 percent to 3 percent of statutory allocation from the consolidated revenue fund to the basic education sector, with further 1 percent to be invested in the senior secondary education segment.
The minister,who spoke at a meeting of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Management with the Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) held in Benin city, Edo State, recently.
Represented by the Director, Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, the minister said the present administration is also fully committed  to bridging the national skills gap by supporting institutions and establishing new ones to accelerate the production of trained manpower for the different sectors of the national economy.
“The Buhari’s administration is committed to ensure that these interventions have long lasting dividends towards the empowerment and enlightenment of the Nigerian child,” he said.
The minister expressed optimism that resolutions reached at the meeting would enhance education of the Nigerian child, whose success and progress underpins the overall progress of the nation and serve as hope for the future generations.
 He also tasked  SUBEBs’ Executive Chairmen, who are the direct supervisors of basic education implementation, to work in synergy with the  Minister of State for Education, private proprietors  and other non-state actors /non- governmental organisations to create the enabling environment for enhanced quality teaching and learning in schools.
Speaking,the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, said the Commission is working hard to ensure equitable and quality basic education for all children of school age and would not relent in its efforts.
He explained that the success of any system of education is hinged on proper planning and effective implementation.
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in Education 0
Stop Erecting Structures Under Power Lines,Ikeja Electric Warns

Ikeja Electric advocates sanctions against activities under power lines -
Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), has cautioned members of the public to stop erecting structures under power lines or carrying out activities and trading near electrical installation, which in effect exposes them to risk of electrocution.
The power  company  noted that proximity to installations such as transformer, electric poles or power lines contravenes the extant law, therefore people in such locations should vacate those areas urgently in order to protect their lives and property.
Its  Head of Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE), Engr. Jamiu Badmos, explained that the  warning became necessary because it has been observed that such acts are perpetrated with impunity irrespective of the dangers associated with such violations.
According to him, Ikeja Electric in line with its Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) policy consistently sensitizes customers on the dangers of trading and building near, around or under power lines.
He  added that the company has spent over N200m in the last one year on the purchase of different types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as organizing interactive occupational health and safety training for employees, whilst also reiterating the company’s commitment to entrench a value driven safety culture that goes over and beyond safety requirements to build a world class safety conscious environment.
He spoke  on the defiance of the law guiding proximity to power installations, Badmos said that Section 3.1 of the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards (NESIS) Regulation 2015 stipulates a mandatory distance of 5.5 meters, 15 meters and 25 meters setback from 33/11kV, 132kV and 330kV lines respectively.
He  lamented that some members of the public have continued to violate the law, making them vulnerable to the risk of unfortunate incidents, which sometimes result in fatalities.
“As a responsible and safety conscious organization, safety enlightenment is top priority and we constantly sensitize members of the public on the dangers of improper handling of electrical issues through our Public Safety Sensitization Programme (PSSP).
This presents the opportunity to articulate the required safety measures such as appropriate rating of materials, proper installation and maintenance of earthing on buildings, curbing illegal technicians and vandalization of network infrastructure, dangers of building and trading under powerlines,” he explained.
The  power company recently embarked on a SafeAware initiative at all Customer Service touchpoints and other strategic locations across the Business network in an effort to embed attitudinal change to safety practices amongst staff and customers.
To ensure compliance with the safety standard, Badmos called on “the Federal and State Government as a matter of urgency, to harmonize efforts to find a lasting solution to this issue by wielding the big stick on defaulters while DisCos continue to sensitize customers on the inherent dangers associated with continued violation of safety practices.”
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in Power 0
Nigeria Will Ramp Up 1.8mbpd Production By December 

Nigeria seeks top spot, plans to increase crude production to 1.7-1.8mbpd – Blueprint Newspapers Limited
The Group Managing Director (GMD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Malam Mele Kyari, has expressed optimism that Nigeria would ramp up oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of  this year.
He  said despite the  target, the country  could easily attain its maximum crude oil production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day with the combined production of crude and condensates.
Kyari said: “It is obvious that by the close of the year we will get back to the 1.7million-1.8million barrels per day of crude only; as you may be aware, when we mention these figures, I am talking about crude oil only.”
He said that at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria shut down some of its wells and were yet to get back to their full production capacities.
Kyari,the NNPC was working towards bringing the facilities back to optimal production before the end of the year.
He further explained that the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of clarity in the sector led to drought in investment in the Nigerian oil sector.
He said the situation had been corrected with the newly enacted Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 which provided ample investment opportunities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.
He also implored the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and other stakeholders in the petroleum industry to focus on developing home-grown technology solutions that can improve performance and reduce carbon footprint in oil and gas operations.
He gave the charge in a virtual goodwill message to the 39th NAPE Annual International Conference & Exhibition with the theme – Petroleum Exploration and Production in a new World: What Next After the Global Crisis?
Kyari said it had become imperative for the industry in Nigeria to embrace the new realities of the post COVID-19 operating environment.
This, he said can be achieved by improving on technology beyond the traditional seismic way of exploration in a manner that would support the Federal Government in its climate change mitigation measures.
He stated that one of the key challenges to the campaign for reduced greenhouse gas emissions was the issue of energy poverty which was the basis for President Muhammadu Buhari’s advocacy for energy justice at the just concluded COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Kyari said that while he agree that the country should transit to a net-zero carbon situation by year 2060, he also said it was necessary to create a balance by providing the right technology and finances to enable less developed countries bridge the gap and make their own transition at a convenient pace.
He spoke on the PIA, saying  that the new oil reform legislation offered refreshing opportunities especially in the deep-water.
He noted  that Nigeria’s reservoirs were not as complex as elsewhere in the world.
He advised  NAPE to innovate and ensure that the country reaps bountifully from its exploration activities.
He said the country would be relying on professional support from organisations like NAPE to achieve the desired aspirations in this regard, while noting that focus must be on creating the capabilities and capacities that can sustain resilience in navigating new industry realities.
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
Energy Transition:Sahara Group Advocates Increased  Intra-African Partnership

Sahara Group to Invest $1bn in Cooking Gas Vessels, Terminals in Nigeria, Others in Five YearsTHISDAYLIVE
Sahara Group has advocated  the need for more intra-African collaboration to accelerate the continent’s march towards access to sustainable energy solutions and ultimately, energy transition.
Executive Director, Wale Ajibade who led Sahara Group’s delegation to the Libya Energy and Economic Summit 2021 in Tripoli,explained that collaboration geared towards promoting security on the continent remained critical to achieving sustainable development in Africa.
According to him,ensuing security of lives and property would enhance investment within the continent and also boost foreign direct investments needed to transform Africa’s expansive oil and gas sector.
He added:”The importance of security and political stability in Africa cannot be overemphasized. We need to see more cooperation between governments, business, the civil society and other stakeholders in this regard to enable the continent rapidly grow its local capacity and global competitiveness”
“When we start talking about energy transition, yes, it is well appreciated and accepted, but without the right investments and enabling environment, it will be difficult for us to transition to renewable energies. When we talk about green energy and renewable energy, there is a cost. How are we going to achieve the energy transition if the economies of our countries are not better?”
He disclosed  that  his company  would work with the government and good people of Libya to enhance access to energy in order to accurately economic growth and development.
“We are passionate at Sahara Group about bringing energy to life responsibly across the continent. We need energy to realise Africa’s potential and all stakeholders will have to work together to achieve this. This conference is a huge step in the right direction and we are delighted to be part of the unfolding transformation in Libya,” Ajibade stated.
The Libya Energy and Economic Summit which ends today is the first large-scale international event to take place in Libya in over a decade. Participants expressed optimism for huge prospects in Libya’s oil and gas sector amid growing fortunes that have seen the country emerge as a foremost oil producer in Africa.
 OIL AND GAS
Nigeria Will Ramp Up 1.8mbpd Production By December
The Group Managing Director (GMD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Malam Mele Kyari, has expressed optimism that Nigeria would ramp up oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of  this year.
He  said despite the  target, the country  could easily attain its maximum crude oil production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day with the combined production of crude and condensates.
Kyari said: “It is obvious that by the close of the year we will get back to the 1.7million-1.8million barrels per day of crude only; as you may be aware, when we mention these figures, I am talking about crude oil only.”
He said that at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria shut down some of its wells and were yet to get back to their full production capacities.
Kyari,the NNPC was working towards bringing the facilities back to optimal production before the end of the year.
He further explained that the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of clarity in the sector led to drought in investment in the Nigerian oil sector.
He said the situation had been corrected with the newly enacted Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 which provided ample investment opportunities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.
He also implored the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and other stakeholders in the petroleum industry to focus on developing home-grown technology solutions that can improve performance and reduce carbon footprint in oil and gas operations.
He gave the charge in a virtual goodwill message to the 39th NAPE Annual International Conference & Exhibition with the theme – Petroleum Exploration and Production in a new World: What Next After the Global Crisis?
Kyari said it had become imperative for the industry in Nigeria to embrace the new realities of the post COVID-19 operating environment.
This, he said can be achieved by improving on technology beyond the traditional seismic way of exploration in a manner that would support the Federal Government in its climate change mitigation measures.
He stated that one of the key challenges to the campaign for reduced greenhouse gas emissions was the issue of energy poverty which was the basis for President Muhammadu Buhari’s advocacy for energy justice at the just concluded COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Kyari said that while he agree that the country should transit to a net-zero carbon situation by year 2060, he also said it was necessary to create a balance by providing the right technology and finances to enable less developed countries bridge the gap and make their own transition at a convenient pace.
He spoke on the PIA, saying  that the new oil reform legislation offered refreshing opportunities especially in the deep-water.
He noted  that Nigeria’s reservoirs were not as complex as elsewhere in the world.
He advised  NAPE to innovate and ensure that the country reaps bountifully from its exploration activities.
He said the country would be relying on professional support from organisations like NAPE to achieve the desired aspirations in this regard, while noting that focus must be on creating the capabilities and capacities that can sustain resilience in navigating new industry realities.
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
Senate Raises Eyebrow Over  N16bn In Environment Budget

The Senate has rejected the N16 billion provided for in the Ministry of Environment budget for payment of debt which maturity deadline is in 2023.
The chairman of Senate Committee on Environment, Ike Ekweremadu, who faulted  the provision before the Senate Committee on Appropriation, explained that there are some discrepancies and such provision had appeared in the last year budget.
He added: “Last year as I said, there was N6 billion in the environment budget for the servicing of a multilateral loan regarding to erosion control.
“Regrettably, about N1.5 billion of it was released to environment and later the Ministry of Finance wrote, saying it was a mistake, that it was supposed to be from the Service wide vote where they service most of the loans.
“So we took it in good faith but surprisingly, we now got another N16 billion for the same reason from the Ministry of Environment and because there was a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly that we should not tamper with monies provided for multilateral loan.
“But we decided to find out what it is all about, eventually we invited the ministry who now said that by the time they got their envelope, the money they sent to Ministries to distribute to agencies, there was no such amount so by the time the money came to National Assembly, there was this N16 billion for the servicing of the new map loan.
“We asked when this money is due for servicing, they said it has a 10-year monetarium, we can’t be providing for it until 2023.
“We also found out that about 21 states are benefiting from it and it is these states that will pay the loan and not the federal government. So, It is either we wait until 2023 before making provisions for it or we ask the states to start making provisions for it if they have to pay now.
“Even if the federal government has to pay it has to go through the service wide votes not the respective budgets of the MDAs, it’s wrong. The anomaly is untidy.”
Also defending his report before the Appropriation Committee, Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman Senate Committee on Army, made strong case for more funds for the Nigerian Army.
He said: “We are here to ask for increase in the capital component of the Nigerian Army so that they will have the necessary resources and tools to prosecute the war they are engaged, unconventional war  everywhere.”
In his response, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Jibrin Barau said the report submitted by Ndume “is precise and straight to the point.  We are satisfied with your report.
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in News 0
‘Technologies Can Increase Nigeria’s Oil Revenues By $200m Annually ‘

Huawei wants Nigeria's oil industry to remain competitive - Financial Street
 Huawei,a global technology solution provider,says Nigeria can leverage its Big Data products to improve oil revenue as part of its digital transformation technology solutions available for the oil and gas sector.
The company also said the solutions can deliver a boost in Nigeria’s oil production of up to five percent and improve revenue by up to $200 million annually.
Enterprise Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Michael Zhuang, who disclosed  this at a recent   Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS),said his  company has been operating in Nigeria for over two decades supporting local and international companies with latest technology.
Zhuang said:”Huawei is dedicated to promoting digital transformation and reducing the digital gap in all industries.The project aims to build fully connected intelligent oil and gas ecosystems.  In Nigeria, we have partnered with both International and local oil Companies in Upstream, middle stream and downstream to promote Oil & Gas digital transformation and we remain committed to continuously provide our support and innovation”.
He  added that the company’s oil and gas solutions have been applied in 45 countries and regions around the world, serving 70 per cent of global top 20 oil and gas companies.
He spoke on how the company intends to plan to drive data to barrel, saying for upstream the company would speed up oil search and search accuracy.
He said:“For Production data, we increase production and reduce costs and for Pipeline data, we monitor oil depot data to reduce oil stealing and oil leakage. With emerging trends like Big Data, IoT, AI, 5G and Cloud, Oil & Gas industry players can improve oil well drilling efficiency and HSE management.
“Huawei’s mission is to promote digital transformation and reduce the digital gap across all industries. For the Oil & Gas industry in Nigeria we have several targets such as; improving production by about 5 per cent to boost revenue and the GDP; HSE can be greatly improved to reduce accidents for a safer and more secure Oilfield; O&M cost can be reduced each year to 15 Million in total; Visualization, Monitoring and Security Management of Pipeline and Full process of Oil Depot; Curbing of vandalism and Oil leakage for Oil Pipelines by providing innovative solutions which can monitor illegal operations in Oil Depot, thereby significantly reducing oil tampering; Ensure the E&P processing speed will be reduced from the average hour level to the minute level; Improve E&P processing accuracy, that is, E&P Data processing error rate will be reduced from an average of 10 per cent to 2 per cent; help E&P companies to find oil more accurately and faster to realize Data to Barrel,” Zhuang said.
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
Gas:Nigerians Have No Business With Firewood,Charcoal -FG 

NLPGA
The Federal Government has expressed regret over Nigerians resort to use of traditional energy means on account of skyrocketing cost of cooking gas
Besides,the government said  there was no reason why anyone should use firewood, kerosene and charcoal for cooking especially when the country was blessed with abundance of gas.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on LPG, Mr Dayo Adesina ,said this in Asaba during two-day LPG sensitisation and awareness campaign organised by the National LPG Expansion Plan, Office of the Vice President in conjunction with the Delta State Government
He said the Federal Government would procure 10 million gas cylinders to marketers for onward distribution to end users which would be exchanged from various homes.
He also said Delta State was strategic to the National LPG Expansion plan in view of its contributions to oil and gas development in the country.
He  lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for setting up  four training centres for manufacturing of low emission stove in the state.
The governor implored  the Federal Government and relevant policy makers to initiate steps towards reducing the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country.
He said that the theme of the campaign “Stimulating Delta State Socioeconomic Growth Through LPG Adoption And Expansion” was apt as the world moves towards greener sources of energy because of the adverse effects of fossil fuel on the environment.
Represented by his Chief Economic Adviser, Dr Kingsley Emu, Governor Okowa said stakeholders must work to reduce the rising cost of LPG if the objective of the National LPG Expansion plan was to be realised.
According to him: “Just recently, world leaders gathered in Glasgow, Ireland, in a Summit (COP-26) to dicuss the adverse effects of climate change occasioned by the use of fossil fuels and the need to move towards cleaner energy. This makes the adoption of LPG as a transition fuel to greener sources exigent, and Delta State is keen to play a vital role in this process and will give this awareness programme maximum support.
He added that there were prospects for the establishment of gas processing plants and gas-related industries in the state with implications for employment generation, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
“However, as we adopt LPG as the fuel to drive the socio-economic activities of the economy, we must acknowledge a big challenge currently confronting the populace, the issue of high price of LPG in the market.
“At the rate the price is skyrocketing, LPG is gradually getting out of the reach of the middle class and common man.
“The price increase has been linked to several factors including the VAT re-introduction, devaluation of the naira and large importation of LPG vis-a-vis low production locally.
“It is imperative that policy makers find a way to mitigate this upward trend in the price of LPG to give succour to our people and if the goals of the LPG expansion plan is to be realised,” he said
He bemoaned the continuous flaring of gas by most oil and gas companies and urged them to expand their production facility to include the capacity to convert gas to LPG for use because of the untapped potentials in the LPG market.
He called on investors to come into the oil and gas sector and improve the availability of LPG in the market.
The governor added that his administration had carried out significant reforms to create investor friendly climate in the state including tax harmonisation, easy access to land and dispute resolution mechanisms to handle conflicts when they arise.
“As we embrace the use of LPG in every sector of our economy as the source of energy, safety concerns become paramount. We cannot forget in a hurry the gas explosion incident at Agbor in January this year, which, sadly, claimed many lives.
“As a government, we have put mechanisms in place to avert similar occurrences and that includes the setting up of a committee to advise the government on guidelines for the establishment of gas plants in the state,” the governor stated.
Online Editor by — November 23, 2021 in News 0