Ex-Agitators, Locals To Be Trained To Operate Modular Refineries
2 min read
PAP Administrator, Col. M. Dikkio (Rtd)
by Our Correspondent
The era of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region may soon become a history if the Federal Government’s recent plan to train ex-agitators on how to operate and run Modular Refinery becomes a reality.
The plan was revealed in a statement by the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, as it called on them to get set to learn the periquisites of owning and running modular refineries following ongoing measures by the Federal Government to integrate artisanal refiners into the oil and gas sector.
PAP Sole Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retired), said the scheme was ready to train the ex-agitators into the business of refining crude oil to intensify manpower development and increase refining capacity for economic prosperity.
The statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Nneotaobase Egbe, said Dikio spoke in Abuja at a summit organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning in collaboration with the Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Economic Diversification.
Dikkio who was represented by his Special Adviser on Finance and Projects, Mr. Godwin Ekpo, at the summit entitled, Integrating Local Artisanal Modular Refineries to Nigeria’s Mainstream Oil Sector, said training and engaging ex-agitators on local refining of crude oil would facilitate rapid development of the region.
He said it would minimise oil theft, reduce unemployment in the region, minimize pollution and give them and the locals a sense of belonging.
His said; “Getting our delegates to participate actively in this artisanal and modular refining initiative will among other things give them a sense of belonging, minimize oil theft, reduce unemployment in the region, minimize pollution and provide pipeline surveillance and eradicate pipeline vandalization.”
Dikkio commended the organisers of the summit, adding that the programme had trained over 3000 delegates in fabrication, pipeline and underwater welding, petroleum technology and engineering.
He cited the Bradama International Skill Works Ltd in Agadagba Obon, Ondo State, a training facility owned by an ex-agitator, Peter Bibopere Ajube aka General Shoot-at-Site, as one of the success stories of PAP.
The PAP Administrator further disclosed that the Amnesty Vocational Training Facility in Agadagba, Ondo State, which specialized in oil and gas activities was part of PAP’s initiatives to build manpower in the region.
The statement explained that one of the intentions of Late President Musa Yar’Adua in setting up the PAP was to get the money invested in the programme to circulate within the region through massive manpower development and patronage of businesses located in the Niger Delta.
It said that the objective was to increase the buying power of the people and drive investment while mitigating the security issues, promising that the current leadership of PAP was committed to restoring the mandate of the programme to its original intent.
