The Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, today visited the Petroleum Trust Development Fund, PTDF, Centre for Skills Development and Training (CSDT) in Omagwa, Rivers State to ascertain the level of work done and when the centre will be completed and be ready for use.
The training center is a collaboration between Nigerian Content Development and Management Board and PTDF.
The Minister was accompanied by the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote (FNSE, FIPS, FPTI), Acting Executive Secretary PTDF, Ahmed Galadima Aminu, contractors and other partners involved in the development of the training centre.
Sen. Lokpobiri was briefed by Engr. Simbi and Ahmed Galadima upon his arrival on the progress of the work and they outlined the importance of the training Centre when it is completed and how it will benefit thousands of youths.
Engr. Simbi said the Board discovered about 250 abandoned vocational centres in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States with no management structure and no equip management. NCDMB got involved and partnered with PTDF to complete and equip this training Centre to meet global standards rather than to build a new Centre from the scratch.
Sen. Lokpobiri in his response thanked Engr. Simbi for his timely intervention to complete this project. He pleaded with the two Chief Executives to intervene more and to complete similar abandoned projects so as to engage, train and employ many Nigerians. He further said “We can’t afford to make similar mistakes like in the past. The earlier we put our heads together and complete this project the better for us. We must find a way to set up a sustainable management structure that will keep this project so it does not run down like many other projects and initiatives,” he said.
He urged the contractors to continue to work hard to get the job done, noting that any challenges faced will be addressed and resolved immediately.”
In addition, he add that “This visit is important to me, that is why I am here to see things for myself and see how we can then plan the best possible way to run and manage it.”
Furthermore, thanked the NCDMB for the intervention and pleaded with the Board to intervene more to complete similar abandoned projects in the region so as to engage and employ more youths.
