Port Harcourt—The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri today visited the PTDF Centre for Skills Development and Training (CSDT) in Omagwa, Rivers State.
The visit was to ascertain the level of work done and when the center will be completed and be ready for use.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on its Facebook page, the training center is a collaboration between the board and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).
Lokpobiri was briefed by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote and the Acting Executive Secretary of PTDF, Ahmed Galadima upon his arrival on the progress of the work.
They outlined the importance of the training center when completed and how it will benefit thousands of youths.
Wabote was quoted to have said the board discovered about 250 abandoned vocational centers in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States with no management structure and equipment.
According to him, NCDMB got involved and partnered with PTDF to complete and equip the Omagwa training center to meet global standards rather than build a new Centre from scratch.
Lokpobiri in his response, thanked Wabote for his timely intervention to complete the 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.
In the words of Lokpobiri: “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 equally urged the contractors to continue to work hard to get the job done, noting that any challenges faced will be addressed and resolved immediately.
He added 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.”