HOST COUNTRY ADDRESS – Delivered By Mallam Mele K. Kyari, GCEO, NNPC Limited
PETAN CHAIRMAN’S SPEECH: HARNESSING A SUSTAINABLE AFRICAN ENERGY INDUSTRY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
Let me use this opportunity to warmly welcome you all and especially Sponsors, Delegates, representatives of the operators and service providers in the industry as well as regulators, governments, participants, and the press to this seventh Edition of the sub-Saharan international conference and exhibition (SAIPEC) 2023 hosted by PETAN in collaboration with our strategic partners NNPC Limited, NCDMB & GEP.
SAIPEC is one of the premier annual energy conferences within the sub-Sahara Africa, bringing together hundreds of local and international companies including technology providers and regulators to inform on domestic and international energy sector developments ,business transactions and cross border collaborations. Energy is core to the economies of 55 members states that constitute Africa.
As part of ways to harness and sustain the sub-Sahara energy market, PETAN has continue to reach out to other regions and bodies for partnerships/collaboration and Support: including An African local content business e-platform,(A one stop collation of available opportunities, capacities and capabilities within the sub-Sahara – currently being developed by the local content associations & will be lunched by 3rd quarter 2023) ,Integrated one -skill passport for welding and related practices with TWF, African local content funding (coordinated by NCDMB), PETAN Seal of quality(PSQ) launched few years ago is being expand to be industry inclusive in partnership with NCDMB and relevant stakeholders. Our collaborations have also extended to Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana, Angola, Guyana etc.
With AFCFTA, African Union should consider a unified/ integrated African certification/standard as practiced in America, European Union, Britain etc. We should seriously consider eliminating multiple certifications domiciled outside our sphere and the associated huge foreign exchange impact. (An indirect and continued colonial vestige). These institutions outside Africa (supported by their governments) have made our respective standardization agencies confined to just names. The TWF personnel certifications/skill passport is a step in the right direction.
Human Capacity Development is very fundamental in the growth of any economy and local content. As technology is evolving, it is important to constantly acquire new knowledge and skills through training and retraining.
The theme for this 7th edition has been deliberately chosen and is relevant as the global energy market is at a critical point and for hydrocarbon rich countries in sub-Sahara Africa to drive home that need for AFCTA / African local content framework full implementation -considering the threat of funding squeeze by non-African donor agencies and the move to confine our hydrocarbon to museum. Remember, our efforts to achieve energy security and energy affordability, will continual be undermined if we do nothing.
As we look to the future, we face significant challenges in the ways energy is produced and consumed, including the effects of geopolitical instability, poverty and energy poverty, economic uncertainties, and the climate songs. As private sector & Service companies, we must continually commit to finding collaborative innovative solutions and work with our stakeholders and partners to ensure a sustainable and secure energy solutions & supply.
SAIPEC continues to place its emphasis on the future of the energy, oil, and gas industry through Sub Saharan Africa with collaboration at the forefront of its objective and local content at its nucleus. Today our requirements for energy are immense and increasing. There are new issues and opportunities across the globe especially as it affects the oil and gas industry. We need to chart a way forward on Energy Availability, Energy Security, Energy Sustainability and Affordability within the continent.
I once again thank you individually to have travelled from far and wide to come to Lagos Nigeria for this seventh edition of SAIPEC- proudly HOSTED by PETAN and trust that your participation will be informative and rewarding and we look forward to welcoming your and more Participants at the 8th edition.
I thank you for listening.
Nicolas C Odinuwe- PETAN Chairman.
