AKSG PURSUING THE ACTUALIZATION OF IBOM DEEP SEAPORT WITH VIGOUR - Gov. Udom Emmanuel

 - Declares open 2-day workshop organised by PENGASSAN, PH zone

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has disclosed that the state government is pursuing the actualization of Ibom deep seaport with vigour, that it is one of the strides meant to consolidate the industralization agenda of the administration, with the provision of a conducive living environment for the well-being of the citizens and dwellers in the state.

Governor Emmanuel who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner of Power and Petroleum Development, Dr. John Etim, made the remarks recently after declaring open a 2-day workshop organised by the Petroleum And Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) with the theme: "Repositioning the oil and gas industry to harness the 4th industrial revolution", held at the Breakfort Hotel and Suites, Uyo.

He said the trajectory efforts of government is the massive attraction of investors into the state, particularly in the oil and gas sector like the BUA Refinery and Petrochemical Industry, Sterling Petrochemical Plant, Blackrose Ammonia Industry, among others.

He disclosed that the state government have provided infrastructures, in terms of good road networks, airport, hospitality homes, healthcare and educational facilities, housing estates and office accommodation facilities such as the Dakkada Towers, which is a 21-storey smart intelligent building meant for the 4th generation industries.

Mr. Emmanuel futher pointed out  that the state is moving with the trend of development to align with modern realities, which he said is the reason the government is carrying out serious reforms to enable the State civil service to do away with analogue systems through the digitization of the system. And also disclosed that the state government is also building a skill and technological institution at ikot Ada Idem to produce capable manpower for the industrialization drive of the present administration. 

While welcoming the group to the state, he assured them of a peaceful environment throughout their stay in the state, pointing out that their theme for the workshop is timely to help them acquaint themselves with the current transition to a new era in the industry.

Speaking earlier, the President Of PENGASSAN, Comrade Festus Osifo, said that after the workshop, it is their hope and expectation that they would dissect the concern and factors that are still impacting negatively in the quest for beneficial energy industry while focusing on disruptive technologies, Robotics/ artificial intelligence, virtual reality, among others.

Also speaking, the zonal chairman of PENGASSAN, Comrade Peter Onita, said the purpose of the workshop is to provide them the opportunity to analyze and evaluate the global impacts of the 4th industrial revolution in the oil and gas industry, which he said will mirror into the future on how not to break but to thrive to survive the 4th industrial revolution that will inevitably affect industries across the country.

Present at the event was the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umoh Eno, who was represented by the Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Hon. Orman Esin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power And Petroleum Development, Dr. Valerie Obot, TUC chairman, Comrade Tony Edet, resource persons, among others.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of papers by resource persons, formation of communique committee, critique, questions, comments and responses by participants.