Half Assini(W/R) Dec. 22, GNA - Tullow Oil on Monday donated laboratory equipment to Half Assini Senior High School to facilitate the teaching of science.

Presenting the items, Mr. Kofi Essuon, Government External Relations Manager of Tullow Oil said the donation was in fulfilment of a request made by the school earlier this year.

"Tullow oil attaches great importance to the learning and teaching of science and believes that the youth if empowered with scientific education, will grow to accept and contribute their quota towards the development of the country," he said.

Mr. Essuon charged the students to take their education seriously and transform their lives from mere students to science inclined youth. Mr. Paul E. Aidoo, Western Regional Minister said the support of Tullow and other oil companies towards the improvement of education and infrastructure in the country was laudable.

He asked other corporate institutions to emulate the shining example by contributing towards the socio-economic development of the country to ensure industrial harmony and social cohesion.

In another development, Mr. Aidoo cut the sod at Asanka for constructional works to begin on seven Tullow-sponsored bore holes in the Jomoro District. Speaking at the function, Mr. Aidoo said the sudden rise in schools offering between three weeks and a month long training in the oil and gas sector was worrying.

"Many of these schools are just in to cheat innocent individuals and exploit them, whereas the certificates presented cannot be used for anything meaningful."

He charged people interested in the oil and gas sector to ensure that such training institutions acquire the requisite skills, accreditation and personnel to deliver.

Mr. Aidoo, appealed to the youth to use alternative dispute resolution methods and dialogue in the settling of disputes. "Conflicts are bound to occur but the use of violence, destruction of lives and property, have never yielded lasting peace as the combatants would have expected to gain."

Mr. Aidoo said proceeds from the oil and gas was meant for the benefit of the nation and everything should be done to safeguard the national interest.