By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Federal Government is set to establish an Oil and Gas Equipment Machinery Development Institute in 2018 in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.
This information was revealed by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, when he was received by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah, during his tour to the South-South zone of the country.
Part of the reasons for the establishment of the oil and gas development institute Dr Onu said is “the strong belief that Bayelsa State has made important contributions in the oil and gas sector in the economy.”
“The time has come for Nigerians to look inwards and develop the capacity in oil and gas exploration and processing using appropriate technologies,” Mr Onu added.
The Minister noted that it was important for Nigeria to have a development institute that will culminate into a centre of excellence where there will be skills development in oil and gas, which will greatly enhance entrepreneurial capabilities of the citizenry.
According to the Minister, when there is research and development in oil and gas sector from the institute, products generated will help to invigorate the economy of Bayelsa and the country at large.
Mr Onu stated that the products from Oil and Gas Equipment and Machinery Development Institute would further provide jobs and create wealth for sustainable economic development in the country.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was working assiduously in line with the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to move the economy from the direction it has been operating on in the past 56 years.
The Minister also said that the oil and development institute was important now, given the fact that the research and development work that will emanate from it, will be mass- produced to meet the country’s local needs and would be exported to other countries in the world.
In his response, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah, said that Science and Technology Ministry is an important ministry that is giving the necessary drive to move the country forward.
Moreover, he said that the ministry is vital to the economy where other sectors should rely and key into in the ongoing diversification process of the current administration.
He also called on Nigerians to embrace research and development as science and technology is what drives the economy of the world today. That with so much knowledge inherent in the country, there should be a synergy between the state and the centre where collaboration and cooperation would be harnessed.
He lauded the minister’s initiative of establishing the Oil and Gas Equipment and Machinery Development Institute in Bayelsa State and pledged full support and cooperation for the project.
Adedapo Adesanya