..As FG Reaffirms Commitment To Complete Skills Training Centre In Rivers
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekpo Ekperikpe, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to completing the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Centre for Skills and Development Training (CSDT) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Ekperikpe made the declaration during a monitoring visit to the center, where he inspected various facilities, including the Heavy Scale Industry Building, Light Scale Industry Building, Auditorium, Library, and Hostel buildings.
While addressing Newsmen, the minister emphasized the importance of skill development for Nigerian youths, stating that the CSDT is a training center for low- and middle-level youths aimed at equipping them with skills to become useful citizens.
He said his visit underscores the Renewed Hope government’s focus on human capital development and its determination to provide opportunities for Nigerian youths to acquire skills and contribute to the nation’s growth.
Speaking about his observations, he said the project is 92% completed, and had instructed the executive secretary to ensure its completion within the year, adding that it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda administration’s goal of rekindling hope among Nigerians.
“The completion of this project will have a significant impact on the lives of people in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole,” Ekperikpe said. “By providing training and skills development opportunities, the center will contribute to the region’s economic growth and development.”
Also, the Executive Secretary PTDF, Ahmed Galadima Aminu, they are racing against time to complete its multimillion-naira training facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said PDTF aspiration is to complete the project before the end of 2025, with the facility expected to be fully functional by the first quarter of 2026.
According to him, the facility is designed to train low- and middle-level manpower in various vocations relevant to the oil and gas industry, such as welding and technical services.
He emphasized that the facility aims to empower Nigerian youths by providing them with useful skills to support their livelihoods and take them off the streets.
He said: “To achieve this goal, the PTDF is partnering with local and foreign organizations to establish the facility as an internationally recognized training center. This collaboration is expected to benefit not only Nigerian youths but also those from the West African sub-region.
“The PTDF’s efforts align with its mandate to build capacities and capabilities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry through human and institutional capacity development, research, and technology acquisition.”
