By Jerome Onoja
Delegates from the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) was hosted by the Association of Tanzania Oil and Gas Service Providers (ATOGS) as they paid a two-day visit to share experiences, discuss and formalize their partnerships for the common interest of both nations.
PETAN was led by its Chairman, Mr Nicolas Chiokejine Odinuwe and Vice Chairman, Mr Richard Oluranti Omole, while ATOGS had its Board Chairman, Mr Abdulsamad Abdulrahim in attendance.
Mr Abdulrahim said the ATOGS/PETAN collaboration is set to benefit Tanzanians in strategic areas, namely sharing Nigerian Local Content experience in the oil and gas sector, sharing deep offshore capabilities, and technological experience.
He said also that the partnership aims to collaborate on joint venture bidding and financing for projects and all business opportunities available in the Oil and Gas sector, training and capacity-building programmes for locals in technical aspects of service provision in oil and gas value chain.
Further, to share insight and experience on how Nigeria achieved local content value in the provision of services, goods, materials, supplies and equipment to the local oil and gas industry.
PETAN is known to lead Nigeria’s delegation on an annual basis to Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston Texas – a ritual which has spanned over two decades. Via such trade shows, the member companies benefit from partnerships which culminate in technology transfer.
“PETAN is the largest and leading advocacy group representing Nigerian Oil and Gas service companies with membership cutting across the entire value chain of the oil sector which has been delivering quality services to the industry for over 30 years,” Mr Odinuwe said.
On his part, the ATOGS chairman appealed to the Tanzanian industry stakeholders to create a clement atmosphere in order to reap of the benefits of the partnership as the country would benefit from improvement of educational standards, investment in its citizens, training, capacity development.
“I appeal to all governments, representatives, policymakers, legislators, captains of industries, and all industry stakeholders to work together for a better operating environment that will have the desired positive effect on the respective economy of Tanzanians. Local Content is a call for National to survive” said Abdulsamad.
Nigeria High Commissioner to Tanzania Ambassador Hamisu Umar Takalmawa said, “I welcome this partnership which will cement the ties between our two countries, our people and will Tanzanian growth in the oil and gas sector. Tanzania has very good fair fiscal and regulatory regimes to attract investors.
I believe ATOGS/PETAN partnership has come at the right time due to many opportunities in the natural resources but importantly to share Nigerian knowledge which will be an asset to Tanzanians” Ambassador Takalmawa said.
