By PAUL UDEJI
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Its chequred history dates back to 1973 when the fund was established under a military decree (Now Act) No. 25 of 1973, dedicated for the purpose of development, promotion and implementation of Petroleum Technology and Manpower Development, through research and training of Nigerians as graduates, professionals, technicians and craftsmen in the field of engineering, geosciences, and other relevant fields in the petroleum industry.
The fund was administratively sheltered under the management of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR). However, this was later changed in the year 2000 when it was moved to the presidency, and that changed its fortunes positively and tremendously. It was during this period that the fund made its mark in translating the objectives for which it was established from mere words to practical realities.
Section 2 of the Act establishing the PTDF provides that the fund shall among others, utilize its resources for the purpose of providing scholarship and bursaries, wholly or partially in the universities, colleges and institutions in Nigeria or abroad; maintain and subsidize such training or education as mentioned. The Act also empowers the fund to make suitable endowments to faculties in Nigerian Universities, Colleges or Institutions offering Oil and gas courses. In line with its mandates, particularly section (2), the new institutional setup for the re-invigorated and rejuvenated PTDF took-off under the leadership of its pioneer executive secretary (ES), Dr. Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar who steered the ship of the fund and made a remarkable impact in bringing it to the limelight. The fund witnessed a rapid change in its area of operation and began to live up to its statutory mandates.
It was at this period that the dreams and aspirations of thousands of qualified Nigerian youths yearning for advanced and specialized education and training in the Oil and Gas-related fields became reality. Thousands of qualified Nigerian graduates benefited and continue to benefit from the local and overseas scholarship schemes established by PTDF in addition to its other numerous laudable programmes, projects and policies. Nigerian Oil and Gas industry has over the years lacked the much needed skilled manpower to carry out its operations in the sector. This contributed in no small way to the expatriates dominating every facet of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.
This lack of skilled manpower due to non-availability of some core oil and gas courses in Nigerian universities necessitated the sending of Nigerians abroad for studies in such areas. On their return, the beneficiaries were expected to fill up the skill gaps in the industry, in the area of state-of-the-art technologies.
In this regard, PTDF has sponsored over 4,700 Nigerians for masters and doctorate degree studies in top ranked universities abroad. While over 900 Nigerians have received the local scholarship award, so many others have also benefited from other PTDF sponsorship programmes. Putting a face to this number, creates greater impetus to fully appreciate the essence of PTDF interventions and their impacts on the lives of many Nigerians and the society.
Other areas in which PTDF has touched the lives of many Nigerians include its special interventions and endowment programmes. Under these laudable initiatives, the fund has established several federal institutions to further the oil and gas business, which include The Federal Technical Institute (FTI), Bonny, in Rivers State, designed to train students in petroleum, gas and environmental studies.
The fund also established the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, in Bayelsa State, with specialization in petroleum, gas and environmental studies. Establishment of primary and secondary school in Oporoza and Okerenkoko communities in Delta state. Similarly, the fund has so far spent about 25bn Naira on educational, organizational and infrastructural upgrade of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State for enhanced training of manpower for the oil and gas industry, to mention but a few.
While we appreciate the efforts and contributions which the fund has made so far in this regard, we also acknowledge the enormous contributions of most of the scholars who are engaged in critical segments of the nation’s oil and gas sector as a result of the training they received through PTDF. We commend the fact that the fund has contributed so much to the development of manpower in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
PTDF stands out to be the best federal government parastatal in Nigeria. This assertion can be substantiated through a close look at its operations, policies, programme and efficient service delivery which conform with international best practices. These need to be sustained so that other government institutions can emulate them and also to restore public confidence in government institutions. I commend the effort of the present Acting Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Alhaji Ahmed Galadima on his efforts to uphold the integrity of the fund and make it a more efficient and responsive institution. His appointment is a round peg in a round hole, given his vast experiences and leadership qualities. Such rare man of integrity is needed in an institution like PTDF to further strengthen and consolidate the fund’s vision and mandate.
Nigerians from all walks of life, who have benefited from the funds scholarship and intervention programmes in the past and present, have at several occasions and programmes poured encomium on the giant strides made so far by the PTDF. It is time to continue to give support to PTDF and encourage Nigerian government at all levels to strengthen its public institutions using PTDF as a case study.
It is my belief that, given the political will and support of Mr. President and all Nigerians, PTDF will continue to live up to its mandate under the purposeful, youthful and dynamic leadership of Alhaji Ahmed Galadima.
• Udeji Writes from warri via [email protected]