By Khalid Idris Doya
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has reaffirmed that oil and gas will remain the dominant economic drivers for the foreseeable future. This assertion was made during the official ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, Alkaleri, in Bauchi State, on Saturday. The project is valued at over N6.7 billion.
Speaking during the ceremony, Senator Lokpobiri emphasized that despite global campaigns for alternative energy, oil and gas are still critical for global energy security. "The future of our energy security in Nigeria, West Africa, and across the continent still depends on oil and gas," he stated. "Our energy financing will continue to come from these resources."
The minister noted that no country is reducing its investment in oil and gas, citing the UK's approval of new exploration activities in the North Sea in late 2023. While emission reductions are being prioritized, he said, oil and gas exploration remains essential.
Senator Lokpobiri highlighted the importance of institutions like the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in training skilled manpower to sustain and expand Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He also pledged continued federal support for the Kolmani Oil Field and reaffirmed the government's commitment to Bauchi’s emergence as a major player in the sector.
Earlier, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, lauded the project as a reflection of his administration’s dedication to vocational education and empowerment of youth and women in the energy sector. He revealed that the idea for the academy was conceived in 2021 following the discovery of commercial oil and gas reserves in the Kolmani area of Alkaleri and neighboring Gombe State by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and its partners.
"The academy is intended to develop the skilled manpower necessary to fast-track oil and gas exploration in the Kolmani fields and beyond," Governor Mohammed said. He commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the Kolmani Oil Project and thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continued support.
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources Development, Hon. Muhammad Maiwada Bello, described the academy as a major milestone in the state's efforts to harness its natural resources, promote educational excellence, and deliver world-class training in the oil and gas industry. "The academy is envisioned as a center of excellence in energy education, designed to equip individuals with critical skills essential for driving growth in the oil and gas sector," he added.
The academy is expected to play a critical role in developing the skilled manpower necessary to drive growth in Nigeria's oil and gas industry, and its establishment is seen as a significant step towards harnessing the country's natural resources for socio-economic development.
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Infrastructure