As part of efforts to develop local materials for the construction of modular refineries in the country, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of a modular refinery for the Petroleum Training Institute in Effurun, Delta State, for research and training of students.
The Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI, Prof. Sunny Iyuke, stated that the contract for the project would be awarded in the 2017 capital appropriation for its take-off for the building of local technologies for the nation’s oil industry.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the institution’s 17th convocation ceremony holding on Saturday, Iyuke said the move was aimed at strategically collaborating with the oil and gas sector in the development of local capacity.
He stated that the school had made tremendous impact in the oil and gas sector in the country as it had also entered into partnership with local and foreign universities for post-graduate training.
Iyuke added that the institution had also entered into partnership with Cyberspace and Huawei for the building of a Digital Petroleum Training Institute worth over N120bn.
The principal said, “I’m delighted to inform you that the Federal Government is supporting the institute in the design and fabrication of a modular refinery in the institute. The contract for the project will be deployed for research and training.
“The Digital Petroleum Training Institute project would soon come on stream. This is PTI smart education project that will be a place for new beginning and digital innovations that will create jobs for our youths.
“The project will also provide the platform where all courses available in the institute are digitised for e-platform application and presentation across the globe.
Iyuke noted that during the convocation, prominent Nigerians, including Chief Edwin Clark, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange (an alumnus of the institution), and a former Secretary-General, NUPENG, Chief Frank Kokori, would be conferred with the fellowship of the institution for their contributions to society.
“This year (2017), the institute will add 1,102 graduates of the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in the field of engineering and sciences to the oil and gas sector while 24 graduates will be awarded the PTI General Wielding Certificates.
“It’s my delight to announce that 48 students graduated with distinction and 347 students graduated with Upper Credit in the 2015/2016 academic session,” he added.
Source: The Punch