From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Akwa Ibom Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Halliburton Nigeria for the establishment of oil and gas training centre in the state.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the state government by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Nse Essien in company with other state government officials while Halliburton team, was led by the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Henry Oki.
Governor Udom Emmanuel, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Etekamba Umoren, said 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.
According to the governor, the administration’s programmes are 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 economy.
Expressing gratitude to Halliburton for partnering Akwa Ibom to enable it achieve its dream of making the state the industrial hub of Africa, he said the company’s investment would attract other oil companies to the state. The governor said signing of the MoU would strengthen the bond of brotherhood between Halliburton and the state government even as he gave the assurance that the company would not regret coming to the state.
Essien said the MoU was the result of deliberation between the two partners over time; expressing happiness that the oil and gas training centre would help in the capacity building and training of personnel in the state and Nigeria.
“The establishment of the oil and gas training centre will help the state boost its internally generated revenue (IGR), reduce capital flight and serve foreign exchange for Nigeria and eventually snowball into the establishment of a full fledged oil and gas training and research institute in Akwa Ibom State University.”
In his response, Oki explained that the coming of the company to Akwa Ibom is to assist crystallise the industrialisation programmes of the governor Emmanuel-led administration. Oki maintained that with over 60 years experience as a corporate entity, Halliburton would bring in the best resource persons who would reposition Akwa Ibom as the foremost oil and gas state in the Gulf of Guinea, and assured that the company would not betray the confidence reposed in it by the state government.