-Felix Douglas
Giving his opening remark at the ongoing Sub Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Nicolas Odinuwe disclosed that part of the ways to harness and sustain sub-Sahara energy market is to continue reaching out to other regions and bodies for partnerships/collaboration and Support.
Odinuwe who emphasized the need for collaboration in his opening remark at the 7th edition of SAIPEC in Lagos on Tuesday said that a new platform is needed to actualize the vision by various stakeholders.
The theme of the conference is “Sub-Saharan Africa Local Content Collaboration Strategies”.
According to the PETAN Chairman, an African local content business e-platform will be lunched by 3rd quarter of this year 2023 to facilitate a one stop collation of available opportunities, capacities and capabilities within the sub-Sahara
This platform he pointed out is currently being developed by the local content associations. “Integrated one -skill passport for welding and related practices with TWF, African local content funding (coordinated by NCDMB), PETAN Seal of quality (PSQ) launched few years ago is being expand to be industry inclusive in partnership with NCDMB and relevant stakeholders. Our collaborations have also extended to Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana, Angola, Guyana” he said.
The PETAN boss added that with African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), African Union should consider a unified/integrated African certification/standard as practiced in America, European Union and Britain.
In his words: “We should seriously consider eliminating multiple certifications domiciled outside our sphere and the associated huge foreign exchange impact. (An indirect and continued colonial vestige).
“These institutions outside Africa (supported by their governments) have made our respective standardization agencies confined to just names. The TWF personnel certifications/skill passport is a step in the right direction” he said.
“Human Capacity Development is very fundamental in the growth of any economy and local content. As technology is evolving, it is important to constantly acquire new knowledge and skills through training and retraining.
“The theme for this 7th edition has been deliberately chosen and is relevant as the global energy market is at a critical point and for hydrocarbon rich countries in sub-Sahara Africa to drive home that need for AFCTA / African local content framework full implementation -considering the threat of funding squeeze by non-African donor agencies and the move to confine our hydrocarbon to museum. Remember, our efforts to achieve energy security and energy affordability, will continual be undermined if we do nothing.
“As we look to the future, we face significant challenges in the ways energy is produced and consumed, including the effects of geopolitical instability, poverty and energy poverty, economic uncertainties, and the climate songs. As private sector & Service companies, we must continually commit to finding collaborative innovative solutions and work with our stakeholders and partners to ensure a sustainable and secure energy solutions & supply.
“SAIPEC continues to place its emphasis on the future of the energy, oil, and gas industry through Sub Saharan Africa with collaboration at the forefront of its objective and local content at its nucleus. Today our requirements for energy are immense and increasing. There are new issues and opportunities across the globe especially as it affects the oil and gas industry. We need to chart a way forward on Energy Availability, Energy Security, Energy Sustainability and Affordability within the continent.
SAIPEC is hosted by PETAN with attendance of delegates from other African countries to deliberate on issues concerning the energy sector.
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