By Adewale Sanyaolu
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s declining oil production levels, calling for a strategic interventions to turn things around.
He articulated his concerns during a meeting with a delegation from the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE), led by National Chairman, Prisca Kanebi, in his Abuja office at the weekend.
Emphasising the critical role of NIPetE’s expertise, Lokpobiri asserted that harnessing the knowledge and skills of its members is essential to overcoming the obstacles hindering increased oil output; a key driver of the nation’s economic prosperity. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a robust partnership with NIPetE to propel advancements in the oil and gas sector.
The Minister highlighted several key areas for collaboration, including capacity building within universities and the enhancement of professional practices to ensure sustainable and increased oil production in Nigeria. While he acknowledged the significant investments made to bolster industry capacity, he pointed out that the results have not met expectations, calling for a transformative approach to achieve meaningful success.
In her opening remarks, Kanebi formally invited Lokpobiri to the upcoming NIPetE 3rd Annual Conference, scheduled to take place at the Abuja Continental Hotel on October 31 and November 1, 2024. She articulated NIPetE’s objectives, which include fostering collaboration between industry and academia in petroleum engineering, acting as a watchdog for educational and professional standards, and urging major industry players to support the establishment of training facilities and laboratories in universities.
Kanebi also highlighted NIPetE’s initiative to facilitate sabbaticals for academic petroleum engineers with leading exploration and production companies in Nigeria. This initiative aims to provide academic professionals with firsthand insights into operational challenges, enhancing their contributions to the field.
She further stressed the importance of domesticating codes and standards to ensure that operations within Nigeria’s petroleum sector meet global benchmarks for excellence.
Responding, Lokpobiri expressed his commitment to attending the NIPetE conference and proposed the establishment of a collaborative agenda to be reviewed quarterly. This structured approach aims to guide their partnership effectively, ensuring that both the Ministry and NIPetE work in concert towards revitalizing Nigeria’s oil production capabilities and advancing the industry as a whole.
