Senior energy technocrats from Trinidad and Tobago have been collaborating with African countries for the past two years on the ways in which the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, under the mandate of South – South Cooperation, could assist in the economic development and /or expansion of the African continent’s petroleum sectors.   

In fact, in July 2008, NGC hosted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which comprised officials from Nigeria, Ghana and Cote D’voire who had come to these shores not only  to meet with government officials, including the Honourable Prime Minister and the Energy Minister, but also with the local business chambers of industry and commerce.  This high level visit came on the heels of other African visits, which comprised energy delegations from the Gabon, Uganda and South Africa. 

The visit to this country by a delegation headed by H.E. Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Governor of the State of Ondo, Federal Republic of Nigeria was therefore in keeping with the trend by energy delegations, while here, of seeing firsthand the strides made by Trinidad and Tobago from the development of a world-class energy sector based on oil and natural gas.   

At NGC’s Head Office, the Nigerian delegation was welcomed by NGC’s President, Mr.  S. Andrew Mc Intosh. During the visit, an electronic presentation was made by Mr. Arnold De Four, NGC’s Vice President - Commercial on the growth of the natural gas industry in Trinidad and Tobago, and NGC’s role in its development.  Dr. Vernon Paltoo, Team Leader, Business Development, National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (NEC) also gave the visitors a view of prospective industrial site and port development initiatives and his company’s role in this area.

After a question and answer session which focused on technical matters, and facilitated by Special Adviser and former NGC President, Mr. Frank Look Kin, the delegation was taken on a tour of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate by NGC representatives. MHTL, PCS Nitrogen and Phoenix Park Gas Processors (PPGPL) were the points of interest for the group as delegates were taken on drive- through tours of these plants.

On Wednesday 27 August, the delegates were treated to the best of ‘Trinbagonian’ culture when NGC hosted “A Trini Welcome for our Nigerian Friends” at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  Ms. Pat Bishop, musicologist and cultural icon, coordinated the event on behalf of NGC. A diversity of artists were brought together for this signature evening, including the Soogrim Tassa Group, the Malick Folk Performers,  Shiv Shakti dancers, The Lydians, Calypsonian Lord Superior, spoken word artist Muhammed Muwakil, the Mount Hope Connection, and the WITCO Desperadoes.

September 1, 2009 

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