By Kuvee Kangueehi Windhoek Energy Africa has provided ten bursaries to the tune of N$340ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 for Namiban students to study engineering. Handing over the bursaries, the general manager of Energy Kudu, Peter Owens, said his company was committed to maximizing the employment of Namibians in the project right from the start. He said because of the highly-specialized nature of the facilities, operations, maintenance and management, its operations staff must possess advanced technical qualifications. Owens said that by establishing the bursary scheme, Energy Africa hopes to develop skilled workers, not just for the Kudu project but for the benefit of the country in general. He encouraged the recipients to work hard and to strive for success in their studies. “As the first recipients of these bursaries, you have a duty to set an example for those who will follow you.” Owens noted that there was hope for more gas for another gas project. He said Energy Africa has just started an exploration campaign on the Kudu Production licence. This would cost N$720 million. He said additional volumes of gas – if proven – would allow the company to expand the gas field development for either further gas to power or for the production of LNG for export to the world market. He added that Energy Africa is ready to develop the Kudu Field. The company is preparing for the construction, operation and maintenance of the gas field facilities, which will ultimately cost N$5 billion. He noted, however, that commercial arrangements to supply gas to a power station are yet to be completed, as the arrangements are complex because the surplus electricity or surplus gas has to be exported. Speaking at the same occasion, the rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia, Dr Tjama Tjivikua, said education is an expensive commodity and the most sought-after product in the world. He said the whole world is moving towards an information society, which is knowledge-based. “Those with knowledge will lead the world, and we have to accept the fact that the cost of education and training will continue to rise, and a developing nation like Namibia has a great need to educate its populace.” He noted that government was already spending a fair share of State income on education, but that alone will not properly address the priority areas in which Namibia needs to invest, such as in engineering and technology. The rector appealed to the public and private sectors for proper, appropriate and significant funding of higher institutions in Namibia. He said more funding such as the one from Energy Africa would ensure that institutions attract the best students locally and abroad. He thanked Energy Africa and said the generous contribution to the Engineering programme would create opportunities for those who otherwise have no means to attain higher learning and succeed. Energy Africa has been involved in the Kudu Gas Field since the Petroleum Agreement was signed in 1993. In 2003, after the withdrawal of Shell and Chevron, Energy Africa took over as operator and invited Namcor to become its partner. The Kudu Field has proven reserves of 1.3 tcf of gas and is located 170ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ km offshore. It is regarded as a significant asset to Namibia, and its development is of national importance. In collaboration with Nampower, gas from the field will be piped ashore to feed a power station to be built near Oranjemund, which will make Namibia self-sufficient in electricity. Energy Africa was the upstream arm of the widely-recognized South African company, Engen, and was bought by Tullow Oil in 2004. Tullow Oil was founded in Ireland in 1985, and its first venture was in Africa – coincidentally a gas power project in Senegal. Today, Tullow Oil is involved in 14 African countries and is one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in Europe with extensive experience in the development and operation of gas fields.