Bayelsa Collaborates With NACETEM to Train Underwater Welders, Boost Job Creation in Oil Sector

The Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) to launch a comprehensive training and certification program for underwater welders. This initiative aims to equip indigenous youth with specialized skills to enhance their employability within Nigeria’s oil and marine industries.

Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement on Thursday during a courtesy visit by Dr. Olushola Odusanya, Director General of NACETEM, and other top federal officials at the Government House in Yenagoa.

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According to a statement from the Deputy Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, the Bayelsa government is dedicated to taking all necessary measures to ensure the success of the collaboration. This aligns with Governor Douye Diri’s administration’s broader agenda focused on job creation and wealth generation for the people of Bayelsa.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo urged NACETEM to broaden its collaborative network by involving key federal agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to maximize the program’s impact.

Highlighting the government’s seriousness about the project, the Deputy Governor assured that a specialized task force would be promptly established to work closely with NACETEM officials and expedite the timely commencement of the training program in Bayelsa.

The Deputy Governor also raised concerns about environmentally harmful practices by some oil companies in the Niger Delta region. He urged NACETEM to engage these companies actively in efforts to adopt environmentally sustainable methods in marine mining activities, especially within the sensitive mangrove ecosystems.

On his part, Dr. Odusanya revealed that Bayelsa is one of seven Nigerian states chosen for the NACETEM training project, designed to address the critical shortage of certified underwater welders in the country’s oil and gas sector. He emphasized that the average annual earnings for a certified underwater welder in the industry exceed $40,000, underlining the high economic potential of acquiring such skills.

Dr. Odusanya further stressed the importance of effective collaboration between the Bayelsa State Government and regional intervention agencies to train indigenous welders to meet international certification standards, thereby enhancing their global employability.

This overdue collaboration between Bayelsa State and NACETEM is set to open new avenues for youth employment while promoting sustainable practices in the oil and marine industries, reinforcing the state’s position as a key player in the Niger Delta economic landscape.