The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella has said that the Ministry will focus on diversifying the energy mix by investing in renewable energy, hydrogen development with an enhanced regulatory framework to attract private investments.
Amb. Ella stated this at a Town-Hall meeting with the staff of the Ministry in Abuja on Thursday, 27th June, 2024.
To actualize this, the Permanent Secretary stated that the Ministry had taken significant steps in developing a hydrogen policy to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix and contribute to global efforts in reducing carbon emissions, adding that, the policy framework is aimed at establishing hydrogen as a viable alternative energy source, leveraging existing gas infrastructure to produce green hydrogen.
Ella implored members of staff of the Ministry to align their efforts with the relevant Presidential Priority directive to “Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development”.
He therefore appealed to all members of staff to brace up for the huge responsibilities placed on their shoulders as civil servants, who are the agents that drive and sustain development in any society.
He emphasized the need to always act in tandem with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to reset Nigeria on the path of growth and sustainable development.
“We must not be found wanting on our mandate as a Ministry in driving the President’s Vision and Mission of laying a sustainable foundation for a decent society”, he added.
Amb. Ella recalled that various initiatives and programmes like the “Decade of Gas” programme, National Gas Expansion Programme, (NGEP), AKK Gas Pipeline Project, and the OB3 Gas Pipeline Project among others, were all geared towards driving gas expansion to every nook and cranny of Nigeria and positioning Nigeria as a leading gas-powered economy.
With regard to the ongoing jostle for the hosting right of the African Energy Bank (AEB), Ella said Nigeria’s aspiration to host the bank has reached the advanced stages.
“We have held meetings and lobbying Member States of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO). The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has directed us to ratify the establishment agreement and we are going to proceed on that”, he stated.
He further stated that he would be leveraging on his international exposure to put the Ministry on the path of unmatched progress.
Amb. Ella assured the staff that the Ministry would continue to prioritize their welfare through enhanced incentives while also placing premium on human capital development through training and retraining within the limits of available resources.
The Permanent Secretary informed that, in line with the mandate under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), arrangements are in place to commence the process of implantation of the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated (MOPI).
He also remarked that the Ministry is poised to embrace innovations and technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) in actualizing set objectives.
The highpoint of the meeting was the interactive session where the Permanent Secretary fielded questions from the staff as well as paper presentations on ‘How to thrive in recession’ and ‘Transform your workplace health’ by resource persons.
In her remarks at the event, the Director Human Resources Management, Mrs. Asma’u Shehu Adaji thanked the Permanent Secretary for creating time to interface with the staff.
Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa (Mrs.)
Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations)
