The Akwa Ibom State Government has signed memorandum of understanding
(MOU) with Halliburton Nigeria for the establishment of Oil and Gas
training Center in the State.
At the Executive Council chamber
of the Governor's office venue of the ceremony, the Commissioner for
Science and Technology, Dr. Nse Udo Essien endorsed on behalf of the
Akwa Ibon State Government while the Managing Director, Halliburton
Nigeria, Mr. Henry Oki signed on behalf of the company.
The Permanent
Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Stella Etukakpan
signed as the first witness while the Director of Engineering in the
Ministry, Engr. Nicholas Idungafa signed as the second witness.
Speaking Shortly after the signing formalities, the State Governor, Mr.
Udom Emmanuel explained that the gesture was in line with the
Industrialisation programmes of his administration geared towards
engaging the youths positively, creating jobs and alleviating poverty in
the State.
Mr. Udom Emmanuel who was represented by the
Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren stated that the
programmes of the present administration under his watch was geared
towards expanding the economic base of the state to allow for investment
friendly environment where investors would explore the resources of the
State for business growth and sustainability of the State economy.
The Governor expressed gratitude to Halliburton for coming to partner
Akwa Ibom State to enable her achieve her dream of making the State the
industrial hub of Africa noting that Halliburton's investment in Akwa
Ibom would attract other oil companies to the State.
He noted
that the signing of the MOU will strengthen the bond of brotherhood
between Halliburton and the State Government assuring that the company
will not regret her coming to the State.
Setting the tone for the
event,the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Nse Udo Essien
explained that the signing of the MOU between Akwa Ibom State Government
and Halliburton is the result of the deliberation between the two
partners over time expressing happiness that the oil and gas training
center to be established in the State will help in the capacity building
and training of personnel in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
Dr.
Nse Essien also noted that the oil and gas training centre would be one
of its kind in Nigeria. His words, "the establishment of the oil and gas
training center will help the State boost her internally generated
revenue (IGR) reduce capital flight and serve foreign exchange for
Nigeria and will eventually snowball into the establishment of a full
fledged oil and gas training and research institute in Akwa Ibom State
University in due course".
The Commissioner said having gone
through the training modules as a geoscientist, the programme would
offer world class training in Engineering, geosciences and drilling in
view of the best landmark software at the Company's disposal.
The
member representing Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika for Federal Constituency at
the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekon said he was grateful that
his continued interaction with Halliburton Nigeria has yielded positive
result as witnessed in the signing of the MOU.
Rt. Hon. Ekon
who spoke of his determination to give Akwa Ibom State effective
representation at the National level praised the State Governor Mr Udom
Emmanuel for not allowing the opportunity to impact on the lives of the
citizenry through the signing of the MOU elude the State.
In his
response, the Managing Director Halliburton Nigeria, Mr. Henry Oki
explained that the coming of the company to Akwa Ibom State is to assist
crystallise the industrialization programmes of the Governor Udom
Emmanuel led administration.
Mr. Oki maintained that with over
60years experience as a cooperate entity, Halliburton would bring in the
best resource persons that will help reposition Akwa Ibom as the
foremost oil and gas State in the Gulf of Guinea assuring that the
company would not betray the confidence reposed in her by the Akwa Ibom
State Government.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Uwemedimoh Nwoko, Chairman
Foreign Direct Investment, Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Gloria Etekamba Umoren, Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Stella Etukakpan, Director of
Engineering in the Ministry, Engr. Nicholas Idungafa, Mr. Okey Okoli,
Mr. Tomide Togun and Mr. Kingsley Ibekwe all managers from Halliburton.
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