By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB) has kicked off capacity development training for one hundred (100) persons from Niger Delta communities as Boat Operators.
Heritage Times gathered that the 100 beneficiaries were carefully selected from 50 Niger Delta Communities to be trained as boat operators.
Delivering his keynote address during the kickoff ceremony held at the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Effurun, Delta State, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Kesiye Wabote said the Board is – among other mandates – saddled with development of local talents, facilities, and assets to support the Nigerian oil and gas operations and its linkage sectors.
Engr Wabote who was ably represented by the Board’s GM, Capacity Building Division, Dr. Ama B. Ikuru explained that the training was geared towards “developing guality manpower to maximize the performance and safety in the delivery of services by power driven small boats which are in regular use in swamp operations in the oil and gas industry.“
While noting that the initiative was “in pursuance of the enhancement of indigenous maritime manpower, knowledge and skills to support the Nigerian Oil and Gas operations” the NCDMB boss added that it was “consistent with the requirements of the Board’s 10-year strategic road map.”
Giving more detail about the programme, the ES said the training will last for ten (10) days as the Board has made arrangements for free accommodation and feeding, stressing that at the end of the training there is going to be financial encouragement for the participants.
He also advised trainees against overloading their boats, over speeding, operating at night as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.
“Know the right of way rules and how to operate safely within the water ways and as part of the training get the right tool for the job,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the CEO, Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Kenneth Epidei in his welcome address thanked the Board for the training opportunity and urged the trainees to take the training serious, stressing that they are lucky to be chosen out of the many Niger Deltans that are out there to be trained in such a sensitive area.
He further appreciated the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (Ncdmb) for partnering with Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research on the training of the ceremony.
Vote of thanks was given by Mr. French Andrew, a participant who lauded Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (Ncdmb) and the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research for the Human Capacity Development Training, stressing that they are grateful as they will take full advantage of the programme to better their lives going forward.
In case you missed it
The NCDMB is an agency charged with the responsibility of developing, implementing & monitoring programmes that ensure a steady growth of Local Content in Nigeria.
The Board was established in 2010 by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, with a core mandate to manage and grow Nigeria’s local content capacity. So far, it has lived up to its mandate.
Heritage Times had earlier chronicled NCDMB’s giant strides in 2021 under the transformational leadership of Engr. Wabote has been relentless at initiating, regulating and catalysing new opportunities that engender value-adding activities in-country and on the African continent at large.
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