29th May, 2015
President Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday that the Federal Government would continue to provide a condusive environment for workers to enable them perform optimally.
He gave the assurance when he inaugurated the new office complex of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in Abuja.
Jonathan urged the organisation to intervene in various training programmes and encourage Nigerian youths to be well trained to enable them key into the oil industry.
“Wherever you are working, the environment should be good, it encourages productivity.
“I am pleased that today, government has been able to provide a decent working environment for our PTDF staff.
“And I believe that they are all happy people to be linked up with this project, and it is stated that to whom more is given, more is expected.
“If government provides this for you, expect that you will provide this quality of training for our people.
“If you are living in the best building, then you should provide the best services and your job is mainly to intervene in our various training programmes and encourage the Nigerian youth to be well trained so they can key into the oil industry.
“You have been doing very well and we wish you more success too.”
Jonathan said the building was one of the best in Abuja, and commended the designers and the organisation for the edifice.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Chief Femi Ajayi, thanked Jonathan for approving funds for the construction of the office complex.
Ajayi also commended Jonathan for the innovations in the PTDF, such as the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for innovation and development, the Welder Training and Certification Programme and the Helicopter Pilot’s Training Scheme.
He said that through the president’s motivation and push for efficiency, the Fund had achieved proper direction, which had produced more results with scarce resources.
The executive secretary expressed optimism that the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari would leverage on the progress so far made to advance the Fund.
“As the PTDF takes steps to diversify its training partners in order to get more value for money invested and achieve greater coverage with less resources, we are hoping that the incoming President, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari would bring his messianic drive and flavour to bear on ongoing reforms for greater effectiveness and improved service delivery.
“We are indeed expectant that the incoming administration will build on the successes of PTDF and take it to higher heights.”