Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN),  has advocated for an integrated certification for African countries as practice in America, European Union, Britain, among others, especially with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now taking shape.

 This, PETAN believes,  will eliminating multiple certifications domiciled outside of African sphere and the associated huge foreign exchange impact this practice has on the continent.

The Chairman of PETAN, Nicolas Odinuwe, stated this on Tuesday at the 7th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Confidence (SAIPEC), currently holding in Lagos with the theme “Harnessing a Sustainable African Energy Industry Through Partnership”.

According to Odinuwe,  as part of ways to harness and sustain the sub-Sahara energy market, PETAN has continued to reach out to other regions and bodies for partnerships/collaboration and Support.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

He noted that Human Capacity Development is very fundamental in the growth of any economy and local content, adding that technology is evolving, and it is important to constantly acquire new knowledge and skills through training and retraining.

Touching on the theme of this year’s conference, Odinuwe said: “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.”

He expressed PETAN to continue to finding collaborative innovative solutions and work with its stakeholders and partners to ensure a sustainable and secure energy solutions & supply.

“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,” Odinuwe added.