FGN Aplauds Seplat Energy for Job Creation Technology Transfer
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government of Nigeria has applauded an indigenous oil and gas firm, Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), for job creation, technology transfer to Nigerians and other notable achievements in the industry.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, gave the commendation when a team from the firm visited his office in Abuja.
Recall that in 2024, Seplat Energy completed the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil, making it a full-fledged Nigerian organisation.
Addressing the team, Dingyadi acknowledged that the achievements of Seplat Energy have had a positive impact on the Nigerian economy, and expressed his delight over the organisation’s progress.
The Minister described Seplat Energy’s achievement in the areas of job creation, transfer of technology to Nigerians and increased production as an impressive development, not only for the firm and the oil and gas industry, but also for the country in general.
Dingyadi said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, I congratulate you for this milestone and urge you to keep it up.
“I assure you of the Ministry’s support in every possible way to ensure that your workers relate with you harmoniously, and that you provide them with the needed atmosphere to be more productive and responsive to their responsibilities.
“We are always there for you and for all other employers of labour so that we can work jointly as a team to achieve the desired objectives of our various establishments.”
He emphasised that a peaceful and harmonious relationship between workers and their employers is key to achieving organisational goals.
Dingyadi declared that the Ministry would continue to collaborate with Seplat Energy in relevant areas, so that working together, they could contribute positively to the economy and the overall development of the country.
Earlier, the leader of the team and General Manager (GM), Corporate Services, Seplat Energy, Emo Udobong-Ntia, described the Ministry of Labour and Employment as a very important stakeholder to the organisation, commending the key role of the Ministry in ensuring industrial peace and harmony across Nigeria.
Udobong-Ntia acknowledged the role played by the Ministry in ensuring that the organisation aligned with the unions on how to manage the transition, which enabled a stable business environment during those discussions that led to a seamless divestment.
The General Manager said the firm has transited to a full-fledged Nigerian organisation, with a Nigerian Managing Director and entirely Nigerian members of staff, and noted that Seplat Energy would continue to partner with the Ministry, to promote the country.
According to Udobong-Ntia, the benefits of the divestment to the Nigerian economy include increase in production, and in direct and Indirect employment opportunities; technology and knowledge transfer to Nigerians, and increase in foreign exchange revenues for the nation. “These are in line with the growth objectives of the country,” she added.
She stated that the firm has been doing a lot of work to support the Nigerian government in increasing production to meet its target, and securing potential additional reserve on behalf of the country.
The General Manager said: “There is increase in direct and indirect employment opportunities. We are a hundred percent Nigerian organisation. We do have regular employees, and we also have contracts with vendors who bring in workers to work within our facility. So, there are a lot of opportunities. Increase in production means more work for people, and that helps this ministry as well to ensure that Nigerians have jobs to do.”
Cover Photo Caption: Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi (2nd right); General Manager, Corporate Services Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), Emo Udobong-Ntia (2nd left); Manager, Labour Relations (SEPNU) Kenneth O. Okoro (right); Manager, Integretion, Mohammed Umar (left) during SEPNU team’s courtesy visit to the Minister in his office, Abuja.
(FMOL Press)
