LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Ogbe has commended Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and the Bayelsa State Government for the completion and inauguration of a Learning Centre and Digital Library at Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
Voiceofnaija.ng reported Thursday that the library was handed over to the school authority in Bayelsa State.
The state-of-the-art facility was achieved by a joint effort from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partners in OML 18.
The library which boasts of three floors, a 2,300-seater Library Building and a fully equipped digital library, also has a Wi-Fi Lounge, offices, digital educational technology rooms, a 500KVA generator housed within a purpose-built external structure, 500KVA transformer, a dedicated water facility and overhead tank, a restaurant/recreation hub, etc.
According to a press statement by the NCDMB, Engr. Ogbe, represented by the Director of Corporate Services of NCDMB, Dr. Ama Ikuru, thanked the State Government for making the environment conducive for business activities.
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He said: āThose of us in the oil and gas industry know that without the enabling environment, there will be no projects and without projects, there will be no local content growth and no projects like this one.ā
He noted that the project is part of SNEPCoās ācommitment to the Nigerian Content Human Capital Development Initiative.ā
Regarding the sponsor of the project, the NCDMB boss stated he will thank SNEPCo and by extension, Shell Companies in Nigeria for showing faith, commitment, and good execution in the delivery of this project.
The companyās major partner, Nigeria Upstream Investment Limited was similarly commended for approving the execution of this project.
Engr. Ogbe pointed out that āSNEPCo was not compelled by legislation, nor the force of regulators, nor by community agitation.”
He said they saw the need to support education in Nigeria and worked with their partners to conceptualize and commence the execution of this project.
Highlighting the role of NCDMB in facilitating the project execution, the Executive Secretary said: āWhen funding for completion of the project became an issue, they sought permission from the NCDMB to complete the project.ā
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According to him, the request was promptly granted, with assurance of āour total support.ā
On the importance of the facility to the University, Engr. Ogbe noted that āNDU is ready to soar above her peers in a digitalization and artificial intelligence-dominated academic world.
With this facility,ā he explained, āresearch projects will be completed on time, new findings will be published, students will graduate on time and lecturers will have the best materials for their publication and receive their elevation.ā
He declared, āWe are immensely proud of this achievement,ā adding, āShell Companies in delivering this project have proven beyond doubt that they are truly partners for Nigeriaās development.ā
The Managing Director, SNEPCo, Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, said the learning complex embodies the commitment of her company to improving access to education for all Nigerians, and that the achievement is āthe culmination of a vision shared by NNPCL, SNEPCo, our co-venture partners, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, and, of course, the Niger Delta University.ā
On the wider benefits of the project to the local community and others, she noted, āSustainable development is at the core of our mission.
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The construction process incorporated knowledge transfer programmes, empowering 24 individuals from the Niger Delta University with hands-on experience in complex engineering through industrial training opportunities. This initiative equips them with a solid foundation for successful future careers.ā
The Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, reminded the audience, which included the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, among others, that āThe history of Shell in Nigeria began in Bayelsa State.ā
He described the Learning Centre and Digital Library as āa signature project in the Niger Delta,ā and thanked industry colleagues āfor the fruitful collaboration.ā He also assured that Shell Companies in Nigeria āwill continue to maintain close partnership with Bayelsa State.ā
In his own remarks, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, thanked all who initiated and completed the facility, while urging Shell and other oil and gas industry players to never get tired of partnering the Bayelsa State Government.
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While advising the university community to put the facility to the best use, he said: “for the students, the time to give excuses for your failure is over.”For the lecturers, the time to give excuses for your inability to research has also expired,” he said.