The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has appointed a Nigerian,
Uduak-Joe Ntuk, as the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, responsible for
managing the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR).
DOGGR uses science and sound engineering practices to regulate the
drilling, operation and permanent closure of energy resource wells.
The division prioritises protecting the public and the environment in
its oversight of the oil, natural gas and geothermal industries within
the largest state in America.
A statement from the governor’s office said that Mr Ntuk had served as
the Petroleum Administrator for the City of Los Angeles, the second
largest city in the United States of America.
โIn Los Angeles, he was responsible for oversight and policy of oil
fields, gas storage facilities, petroleum refineries and pipeline
franchise agreements.
โPrior to joining the city of Los Angeles, he had worked for several
companies, including Tyco, General Electric and Chevron.
โBeing a technical professional with both public and private sector
energy experience, he provided technical advice to the Mayor, City
Council, and various City Departments,โ said the governor’s office.
It added that Mr Ntuk, a strong believer in Nigeria and its
potentials, had expressed his will to share his expertise to further
develop the Nigerian petroleum industry and the possibilities of
building a mutually-beneficial relationship with the state of
California.
โA Nigerian-based Oil and Gas Consulting Company is exploring the
possibilities and has initiated discussions regarding building a
business relationship between the Nigerian oil and gas industry and
the state of California through Mr Ntuk.
โHe is the first Nigerian-American to hold this position in
California’s history and his family is from the Port City of Calabar,
Cross River State,โ said the statement.
