The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, annual Energy and Labour Summit, PEALS, has become a reference point for stakeholders in the nation’s petroleum industry.
Since inception three years ago, it has remained a rendezvous for state and non-state actors to galvanize ideas to move the sector forward.
Like the previous ones, the three days PEALS 2024, in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, with the theme: The Future of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: Energy Mix, Energy Security, Artificial Intelligence, Divestment, and Crude Oil Theft, was a gathering of industry experts, government, policymakers, industrial relations gurus, labour leaders, among other stakeholders.
Welcoming guests and members of the Association, its President, Festus Osifo, recalled that for years, the leadership of PENGASSAN headed by him, conceived the idea of this summit to fill the gap in the numerous conferences and seminars in the oil and gas space in Nigeria that don’t bend backward to examine the impact of government, organisations, and companies’ policies on the workforce in the industry, the most important assets whom we often describe as the goose that lays the golden eggs.
“It is the shortcomings of those conferences that focus only on policies, technology, and profit- making that PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit was designed to address.”
According to him: “The resolutions from the last two editions of the summit have been applied in various areas to better the lives of our members and protect their jobs.
“Again, the theme for this year’s edition was carefully chosen to focus on the implication of energy security, artificial intelligence (AI), divestments, and crude oil theft on workers in the oil and gas industry, everyday Nigerians, and the economy at large.”
He lamented that “Nigeria’s oil and gas industry stands at a critical juncture, presented with both unprecedented opportunities and uncommon challenges as we navigate the pathway to sustainable
energy development, security, and innovation.
“As the President of PENGASSAN, I am deeply committed to orchestrating a collective vision that encapsulates resilience, adaptability, and forward-thinking strategies to enhance the industry’s future prospects, viz- a-viz: Energy Mix: The dynamic transformation of Nigeria’s energy landscape demands a multifaceted approach.
“Embracing a diverse energy mix that incorporates renewable sources, natural gas, and innovative technologies is not only imperative for environmental sustainability but also positions us as pioneers of a balanced energy portfolio that caters to the evolving needs of our nation and the global community.
Vanguard
