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 Industrialization 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.
