Leon Usigbe
31 October 2008
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has regretted the lack of security in the Niger Delta which it says has made it difficult to conceive and smoothly implement programmes that would make life more meaningful for the people
However, the oil giant has expressed its determination to continue to work with other stakeholders in the industry especially in the training of Nigerian to achieve the goal of the Nigerian Content Development (NCD).
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the at the official signing of the contract for Pilot Programme of Welders Training and Certification between SPDC, Nigerdock and the petroleum Training Institute (PTI), the Managing Director of APDC, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu stated the contract highlighted the commitment of the SPDC Joint Venture to promoting the skills of Nigerians.
He noted that if the observed current capacity and competency gap in the in welding in the oil industry was not urgently addressed, it could have a significant impact on the oil and gas industry especially against the requirement of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) all third party services relating to fabrication and construction should be carried out by Nigerians.
"It is in realisation of this challenge that the NNPC and shell agreed to collaborate on a pilot programme that would train and certify 100 welders," the Managing Director who was represented by Mr. Babs Omotowa, a director in the company said, adding that the programme provided an opportunity for many Nigerians to acquire skills that would position them for employment in the oil and gas industry.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Alhaji Ababukar Lawal YarÁdua the successful completion of the pilot programme would enable the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to proceed with the main phase which would train and certify over 2500 Nigerian welders to participate in oil and gas projects.
He assured that the selection of the beneficiaries would be carried out in a manner that ensured equity and due process.
Similarly, he reiterated the NNPC's commitment to the implementation of the Nigerian Content policy especially the Human Capital Development "which will generate skills and create a pool of skilled professionals and vocational workforce from which Nigerian companies and indeed NNPC can source its future employees."
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