The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has entered partnership with Anoh Gas Processing Company Limited to fast-track the completion of the Centre for Skills Development and Training, CSDT, in Greater Port Harcourt Area of Rivers State.
It would be recalled that construction work at the centre which was started by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF in 2014, had been suspended due to lack of funds.
Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote recalled that the Board commenced discussions with the PTDF in late 2019 on areas of collaboration to complete and commission the centre.
Engr. Wabote explained that the centre which was created to train and increase the competence and capability of Nigerians to meet the low-to-middle level human resources needs of the nation’s oil and gas industry, would be completed in collaboration with Anoh Gas under the NCDMB’s Capacity Development Initiative, CDI projects.
“CDI projects are utilized in collaboration with operators and service providers in the oil and gas industry to address identified gaps in local capacities and seize opportunities to grow local capabilities,” he added.
He further commended Anoh Gas for identifying with the project and remobilizing its contractors back to site to complete the project in time.
While expressing optimism that the facility when completed will promote skills development and attainment of one of the NCDMB’s mandate of developing local contents in its 10-year strategic roadmap, he added that the completion of the project will be a major achievement of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
“Globally, achievement of the local content agenda is hinged in domiciling value-adding activities and this is heavily dependent on locally available skilled manpower. It is in recognition of the critical role that skilled manpower plays in the development of local content that the Board has Technical Capacity Development as one of the strategic pillars of its 10-year Strategic Roadmap,” the NCDMB boss added.
Responding, Managing Director of Anoh Gas, Okechukwu Mba, revealed that the company decided to partner with the NCDMB with a view to contribute to the development of skilled professionals to work in the oil and gas sector.
While indicating that completion of the project was part of the company’s $10million Capacity Development Initiative commitment made on the back of the development of the 300MMscfd capacity Anoh Gas processing plant located on OML 53in Imo State, he added that the company would also collaborate with the NCDMB in other areas of Human Capacity Development.
Commending the NCDMB, he said: “I am particularly happy for the benefits the country stands to gain from the completion of this facility. It will produce youths equipped with relevant skills they require to pursue a rewarding career in the oil and gas industry”.
