PTDF Reassures Nigerians On Its Core Mandate

By Bashir Bello Dollars

The Petroleum Development Trust Fund has reassured Nigerians of its commitment to continue to emphasise on manpower development training in the area of oil and gas as the core mandate of the Fund.

Executive Secretary of the Agency, Ahmed Aminu Galadima made the reassurance during an interactive session with members of the House Committee on Petroleum Development Funds.

He explained that the core mandate of the Agency is to train manpower in the area of oil and gas, and other supporting courses such as law, geology, geography, economy and social sciences.

He explained that so far the Agency has been able to trained over 15,000 Nigerians, cutting across masters degree programme and PhD courses in the areas mentioned.

The Executive Secretary further said the idea is to ensure teachers or lecturers are trained in order to be able to reciprocate the same in the Nigerian higher institutions or universities and in the same vain, could find jobs elsewhere in the private sector which in turn, benefits Nigeria.

Answering question on how the Agency selects candidates for recruitment, the Executive Secretary said, based on the Federal Character principles, the Agency always advertises on its website and some national dailies to give equal opportunity to Nigerians from the six geo-political zones and also give additional consideration to oil producing states.

Speaking during the session the chairman of the committee Hon. Iritomi Thomas assured the Executive Secretary and management that the committee will do its best in assisting the Agency to continue to train Nigerians.

He said this will add value to our educational institutions and Nigerian students, and in addition, manpower development.