By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Federal Government has given a vote of confidence on the nation’s oil and gas sector, saying that it is still very important to the growth and development of the nation.
Speaking at the launch of a book entitled, ‘Logistics of Explorations and Industry Productions’ and the Maiden Conference/Exhibition on Logistics of National Competitiveness on Thursday, the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, maintained that the oil and gas industry is still playing significant role in Nigeria’s economy.
Amaechi expressed confidence at what an effective chain management of the oil and gas industry can do for the country.
“Logistics is a significant component of a nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and a strategic weapon in a competitive market. The role of logistics operations in delivering a company’s competitive advantage cannot be overemphasised, as growing demands of good and services can only be satiated through an efficient and effective delivery plan.
“You will all agree with me that oil – a major output of the industrial sector – is one of the most important raw materials in the world’s sources of energy, since the mid-90s. The oil industry is one of the important components of the world’s economy, and has a significant impact on the development of other industries.
“In Nigeria, the oil and gas sector continues to play significant role in the economy. An effective chain management of the oil industry can increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the petrochemical plant and its supplies,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the President of the Chattered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Mr. Ibrahim Jibril, noted that good logistics services increase a nation’s economic growth.
Jibril stated that a country’s efficient logistics system can drive up its economic growth.
He added that trade facilitation would be useless without adequate and credible set of professional knowledge, skills and confidence.
“Logistics is evident in our daily lives and operations. Good logistics services, as an enabler of trade facilitation and transport, adds to the nation’s economic growth in the form of foreign direct investment (FDI) legacy. And of course, trade facilitation, however, may not be really gainful without adequate and credible set of professional knowledge, skills and confidence associated with the industry, and some of which we have gathered here today to discuss and share,” he added.
In his presentation of the book, the author, Mubarak Mahmood, revealed that the book was a journey which conception began 14 years ago.
According to Mahmood, that was when he was sent for his apprenticeship as a cadet.
“At some point, I also realised that the ideological concept was also missing from our education system,” he said.