Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, and Lee Engineering Limited, have onboarded 24 youths drawn principally from Rivers and Imo States for a two-month Nigerian Content (NC) Human Capital Development (HCD) brush-up vocational training on the back of the Assa North-Ohaji South Gas Project in Imo State.
Areas listed for the intensive practical training programme within the facilities of ICON Lifting and Rigging Inspections Limited, a leading indigenous company in Port Harcourt, are crane operations, forklift operations, scaffolding, electrical installation, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning.
Every trainee is assured adequate personal attention from the trainers throughout the duration of the programme.
In a speech at the kick-off ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Assistant Manager, Capacity Building Directorate (CBD) of the Board, Mr. Tareowei Bufazi, noted that the trainees would acquire valuable knowledge, hands-on experience and competencies that could position them for meaningful participation in Nigeria’s growing energy sector and wider economy.
Explaining the relevance of the competencies covered in the programme, the Executive Secretary said, “These are critical vocational skills that support operations across the oil and gas industry and other sectors of our economy.” He urged the trainees to approach the opportunity before them with seriousness of purpose.
“Be disciplined when it is difficult, focused when it is tempting to relax, and committed when no one is watching,” he urged them, adding, “Ask questions; push yourselves, refuse mediocrity.”
To Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Lee Engineering, and other stakeholders, the NCDMB boss expressed appreciation for their commitment to developing local content and empowering host communities. Continuing, he declared, “You are not just supporting a training programme; you are helping to build capability, create opportunities, and strengthen the future of our nation.”
Earlier in opening remarks, a representative of Renaissance Africa Energy, Engr. Funsho Alabi, told the trainees that the sponsors of the programme are committed to empowering them through the training, and that they are expected
to become transformed after the acquisition of such knowledge and skills as would be imparted. “Whatever you acquire here as knowledge will be part of you,” he explained, pointing out that while some would find themselves in the oil and gas industry, others could be profitably engaged in their own businesses.
He urged the trainees to align themselves with the trainers for guidance while undergoing the programme and even at graduation, while assuring them that staff of Renaissance Africa and the NCDMB would be visiting them in the course of time to ensure that everything was proceeding according to plans.
In closing remarks, a representative of Lee Engineering thanked the NCDMB and Renaissance Africa as well as the training organisation, ICON Lifting and Rigging Inspections, for their contributions to a successful take-off of the current group, listed as Batch B of the training programme. He solicited continued collaboration to achieve the goals of the exercise.
The Assa North-Ohaji South Gas Project, located in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, is an onshore greenfield gas development project with a processing capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) under Phase 1. Gas production at the facility began in January 2026.