From BELLO WAKILI(Abuja)
President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria will strengthen its position as regional leader in the oil and gas industry, and spare no effort at ensuring maximum benefit from the nation’s huge natural resources.
He stated this at the virtual inauguration of the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) headquarters, in Lagos
President Buhari pledged that government would continue to leverage oil and gas for development and pursue economic diversification across all sectors.
He therefore urged industries, practitioners and stakeholders to support the task of nation building towards realising the abundant opportunities in the country.
Muhammadu Buhari commended Minister of State, Petroleum Resources Mr Timipre Sylva, the Director/ CEO of DPR, Engr. Sarki Auwalu and the entire staff of DPR on the actualization of the project.
On the impact of the COVID-19 on the nation’s economy, the President noted that in 2020, global economies were faced with unprecedented challenges and severe shocks in the wake of the pandemic and attendant consequences.
According to him, Nigeria is not spared from the impact of the COVID-19, oil price crash and OPEC production cuts with direct impact on government revenue projections and national economy.
In a remark, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva said the integrated Centre encompasses 5 units, designed to comprehensively cover key areas of the industry while enhancing safety, value and cost efficiency.
The units are: Search, Rescue and Surveillance, Command and Control Centre (SERAS) ; National Improved Oil Recovery Centre; Oil and Gas Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre; Oil and Gas Competence Development Centre and Integrated Data Mining and Analytics Centre.
On SERAS, the Minister said it was a flagship programme l designed to enhance safety management, emergency preparedness and response, and routine transportation for bed-space management.