The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has pushed its Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap project with the training of 100 Niger Youths on boat operations.
The training, which started on Tuesday is “Part of its efforts to enhance indigenous maritime manpower that would support the Nigerian oil and gas operations, the Board said in a statement on Sunday.
The training, which will last for 10 days, is being facilitated by Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research in Effurun, Delta State. The statement explained that the training would “develop manpower that would deliver consistent quality and safe performance with power-driven small boats which are in regular use in swamp operations in the oil and gas industry.”
Speaking at the beginning of the training, the NCDMB executive secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote, who was represented by the General manager, capacity building division, Dr. Ama Ikuru, said the board is saddled with the responsibility of developing Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
The ES emphasized that the mandate of NCDMB “Requires the development of local talents, facilities and assets to support the Nigerian oil and gas operations and its linkage sectors.”
He explained that the training is a demonstration of the NCDMB’s commitment towards the development of Niger Delta youths; adding that “One of the significant challenges facing the Nigerian maritime sector is the inadequate indigenous manpower to support marine operations and the surge in the number of accidents recorded in Nigerian inland waterways.”
To forestall the prevalence of boat accidents and fatalities in the inland waterways, Wabote said the training will build the capacity of drivers and provide practical knowledge, competence, and certification that will enable you to be abreast with the skills and competencies required for the safe handling of small craft vessels within the Nigerian inland waterways and near-coastal voyage (NCV).
He extolled the management of Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies for providing the platform for the training, and charged the participants to believe in their ability to overcome all challenges ahead of them and succeed.
In his address, the managing director of Joemarine in Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Mr. Kenneth Epidei, congratulated the participants and applauded NCDMB’s training initiative in building capacities and opportunities required in the oil and gas industry.
By Sunday Elom
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