- By Femi Alabi
Oil and gas industry stakeholders and leading academics has started a three-day Research and Development (R&D) Zonal Workshop at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.
The focus of the programme is on needs-driven research and deepening of collaboration and linkages, sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The workshop provides a forum for discussions and demonstration of research breakthroughs on software and hardware as they relate to oil and gas industry needs, bioremediation and related oil field chemicals solutions, such as additives and drilling fluids, and renewable solutions to meet industry needs.
It is scheduled to be hosted in the six geopolitical zones of the country by NCDMB Centres of Excellence in six universities, the workshop is also intended to enhance capacity building of research directors and lecturers, particularly in writing and reading compelling research proposals.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, in a keynote address at the workshop said the Board is empowered by Sections 36-39 and 70 (m) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, to coordinate and superintend over research and development towards the further attainment of the goal of developing Nigerian content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
He stressed that critical gaps hampering the research climate in the sector, notably, lack of research infrastructure, funding and weak commercial frameworks, had been identified in the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Road Map, developed in 2017.
“The establishment of Research Centres of Excellence in the six geopolitical zones of the country and establishment of the R&D Fund to stimulate research in the oil and gas sector were some of the measures recommended to remedy the identified gaps.
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The Executive Secretary was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Mr Isaac Yalah, and he pointed out that the Board created six research centres of excellence hosted by tertiary institutions in different geopolitical zones.
He said it is important to address the challenge, “How do we bring industry experts to enhance learning in universities?”
In his Welcome Remarks, the Vice Chancellor, NDU, Professor Allen Aziba-Odumosu Agih, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Jonah Akekere, expressed the joy of the institution’s Management in playing host to participants, while commending the NCDMB for its initiatives in human capital development.
He said the University greatly appreciates the Centre of Excellence status it enjoys as well as the partnership that has been fostered by the Board over the years.
Earlier in a programme overview, the Managing Director, Wider Perspectives Limited, facilitators of the event, Edughom Hanson, said interactions between oil and gas industry players, academics and policy-makers are vital for the successes the country seeks in national development.
She noted that, among other objectives, the Workshop seeks to build the capacity of research directors and lecturers in writing and reading compelling research proposals.
“There are a lot of opportunities, a lot of grants that can be accessed out there for research purposes,”.