The Bayelsa State Government has announced plans to collaborate with the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) to train and certify underwater welders, enhancing their employability in Nigeria’s oil and marine industries.
This commitment was made by the state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NACETEM, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, and his team at the Government House in Yenagoa on Thursday, September 11.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, Ewhrudjakpo reaffirmed the government’s readiness to support the initiative in line with Governor Douye Diri’s administration’s focus on job creation and economic empowerment.
He urged NACETEM to expand its partnership network by engaging key stakeholders such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and other relevant federal agencies to strengthen the project.
To demonstrate its commitment, the state government plans to establish a dedicated team to work closely with NACETEM in ensuring the timely and effective rollout of the training programme.
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The deputy governor also highlighted the environmental impact of oil exploration in the Niger Delta and encouraged NACETEM to involve oil companies in the initiative, particularly in efforts to promote sustainable marine mining in the mangrove regions.
Earlier, Odusanya revealed that Bayelsa is one of seven states selected for NACETEM’s specialised underwater welding training, designed to address the critical shortage of certified local welders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He emphasised that certified underwater welders can earn over $40,000 annually, underlining the importance of building technical capacity through strong collaborations between state governments and development agencies in the region.
