PTDF to involve more oil, gas players in programme implementation

THE Petroleum Technology Development Fund has pledged to involve more oil and gas industry players in its capacity building programmes in order to achieve maximum result.

Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau, said there was the need for industry players to be carried along by the fund through the creation of linkages with the Nigerian and global oil and gas industry in the area of training and skill acquisition programmes for the beneficiaries.

Although, the mandate of the Fund was to build capacity strictly for the oil and gas industry, it has, over the years, maintained minimal interface with international, national and local oil companies in the implementation of its mandate.

Gusau, who spoke through the Head, Press and External Relations of the Fund, Kalu Otisi, said: “PTDF is marginally connected to the oil and gas industry players. There is an obvious lack of organic relationship between PTDF and the industry because we have not created the necessary linkages with other players.

“There is, therefore, the need for us to reassert our relevance in the oil and gas industry by engaging in a very practical manner with the industry.

“PTDF has to move near the centre stage of the oil and gas industry by becoming increasingly involved,” he added.

He, therefore, outlined the framework for working with the industry, particularly with the Oil Producers Trade Sections (OPTS).

According to the strategic plan of action, creating linkages with the Nigerian and global oil and gas industry as a priority, would result in strengthening of relationships with other public agencies in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

He said the action involved: “Formation of joint research groups with international oil companies and local oil companies towards solving specific industry problems; interfacing with the oil and gas sector to identify their critical needs which would form the basis for selection of candidates for award of MSc and PhD scholarships and PTDF Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant Competition.

“Establishment of alumni research clusters with the aim of using PTDF ex-scholars and experts working together from interconnected universities, companies, firms in related industries and associated institutions in order to provide multi-disciplinary solutions to complex industry problems.”