Expert Says Nigeria’s Oil And Gas Sector Should Be Fortified through PIA Implementation

Oghenovo Dafiadje, a Mechanical Engineer and principal project engineer at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has urged the Federal Government to ensure the complete enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to fortify Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector.

In a recent statement, Dafiadje expressed his appreciation for the Nigerian government’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which he described as a significant move towards revitalizing the country’s petroleum sector.

Dafiadje stressed the need for the swift and complete implementation of the law, especially in line with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the potential economic benefits that the PIA could bring to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Highlighting the global shift towards energy transition, According to Dafiadje, “the worldwide trend towards energy transition is becoming increasingly apparent”. He further mentioned that the complete execution of the PIA puts Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in a favorable position amid this changing landscape.

Asserting the significance of local content development, Dafiadje stressed that fostering local capacity within the industry is crucial for achieving seamless project delivery and ensuring excellent safety standards at reduced costs.

He further emphasized the importance of embracing technological advancements and innovative project delivery approaches, advocating for the early adoption of Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to optimize the possibilities in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

Reflecting on his career trajectory spanning over 12 years in the oil and gas industry, Dafiadje shared his aspiration to contribute to the development of world-class facilities and infrastructure, leveraging his mechanical engineering background and prior experience in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry.

Discussing his contributions to client solutions within his field, Dafiadje highlighted his efforts in building local capacity among vendors and contractors, enabling the successful execution of various multi-million-dollar capital projects over the past five years.

He noted that these projects, initially outsourced to multinational offshore firms, were accomplished through expert support and innovative solutions provided locally.

Dafiadje displayed a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in his field.

He acknowledges that,“Every project I handled, whether it be a green field initiative or a brownfield integration project, presented a unique set of challenges that required careful consideration and astute observations.”

He disclosed that each hurdle needed to be addressed with a tailor-made solution, taking into account the specific context and requirements of the project.