– As IKIKE achieves first oil production
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — As part of its corporate social responsibility, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited on Wednesday inaugurated infrastructure projects for Government Technical College in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Infrastructure Development Project which consists of a technical workshop, a 200-bed hostel, and a 25-block classroom, is in fulfillment of TotalEnergies commitment to the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board’s priority on human capital development.
Speaking, the Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Sangster, announced that Ikike achieved first oil few days ago, adding that the company was embarking on the projects under its IKIKE offshore development project.
Sangster, represented by TotalEnergies’ Deputy Managing Director, JV Asset, Mr Guillaume Dulout, thanked NCDMB for his leadership and commitment to local content development in the country and also the Rivers State for the expedited approvals received for the launch of the project.
“The HCD projects are designed to upgrade the standard of the infrastructure in the school, create a good learning atmosphere, improve the standard of living for the students as well as equip the vocational students with life skills.
“It represents our full alignment with the initiatives of the NCDMB Board to develop technical expertise and professionalism in the Nigerian oil & gas sector. Today, we will lay the cornerstone for the technical workshop. The 200-bed hostel and 25-block classroom will follow in phases.
“TotalEnergies’ IKIKE project with investment decision in 2019 achieved First Oil few days ago. It is very remarkable to highlight that this milestone was achieved without any Lost Time Injury or incident. Ikike recorded significant local content milestones.
“As expected, the success recorded by Ikike demonstrates team work at its best. This is what TotalEnergies and our partners want to replicate as we deepen our collaboration with NCDMB in the area of technical education, with the ground-breaking today.”
Also, the Executive Director of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Wabote said the Board places premium on human capital development and the role that technical, vocational education and training can play in the development of skilled craftsmen required for the delivery of project in the oil and gas industry and for the growth of Nigerian Content in the industry.
Wabote represented by NCDMB Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Patrick Obah, said the availability of skilled and qualified Nigerian craftsmen will reduce dependence on foreign artisans and reduce capital flight.
“Total Energies has demonstrated that indeed they are a true leader of Nigerian Content Development, and when many other operators are divesting from fields in Nigeria, Total has continued to invest in Nigeria and achieving great strides in Nigerian Content.
“It is on the basis of this guideline that Total Energies Limited submitted and got approval for the HCD plan of the Ikike Project, in which she committed to constructing, equipping, and handing over the Mechanical Workshop, 25 classroom block and a modern hostel accommodation block for 200 students.
“Let me at this juncture thank the management of Total Energies for demonstrating faith and commitment to the betterment of Nigeria. Let me also congratulate the management of Total for achieving the first oil of the Ikike project.”
Also, the CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe commended TotalEnergies for siting the project in GTC Port Harcourt, decried that the oil and gas industry was currently experienced challenges particularly in the land and swamp areas because of oil vandalism, sabotage and third-party inferences.
“These challenges has made oil production in the land and swamp areas impossible. So, we are calling on the state government to rise and ensure that normalcy is returned. Without sustained oil and gas production, the economy will be affected.”
For his part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Chinedu Mmom, who commended TotalEnergies for the project, assured of continued provision of the enabling environment to ensure the project is completed within the record time.
“This project is not a right but a privilege for the host community. Kudos to you (TotalEnergies) for this laudable project. I want to say that Governor Wike places education as his core priority. We are happy with TotalEnergies for complementing the efforts of the government in prioritizing education.
“We will be involved with the monitoring. Thank you TotalEnergies for what you have done, and we expect more of this. We wish you well in all your business in Rivers State.”
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