The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has appointed a Nigerian from Cross River State (Calabar), Uduak-Joe Ntuk, as the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, responsible for managing the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR).

A statement from the governor’s office said that Uduak-Joe Ntuk had served as the Petroleum Administrator for the City of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States of America.

“In Los Angeles, he was responsible for oversight and policy of oil fields, gas storage facilities, petroleum refineries and pipeline franchise agreements.”

“Prior to joining the city of Los Angeles, he had worked for several companies, including Tyco, General Electric and Chevron.

“Being a technical professional with both public and private sector energy experience, he provided technical advice to the Mayor, City Council, and various City Departments,” it stated.

It added that Ntuk is a strong believer in Nigeria and its potentials and 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.

“A 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.”

“He 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,” it concluded.

The California 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.