As part of its Human Capital Development mandate under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (“the Board) has sponsored 22 young Nigerians to China for training in Steel Pipe Mill Manufacturing Training. The trainees, who left Nigeria on Sunday 6th September 2015, arrived China safely the next day to commence their training at the premises of Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe Company (BSG) Limited, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The training is advance preparation by the Board to ensure that there are Nigerians with requisite skills to operate a Steel Pipe Mill company currently under construction at Polaku community near Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by Mainland Pipe Nigeria Limited in collaboration of the Board.
In a brief opening ceremony on Wednesday September 9, 2015 at the headquarters of BSG in Baoji, west of China, the Coordinator, Legal Services Directorate of the Board, Mrs. Rose Chukwuonwe who represented the Executive Secretary, Mr. Denzil Kentebe noted that the ceremony was a milestone event, a great stride toward realizing the aspiration of inculcating in the 22 young Nigerians the critical skills needed to operate and maintain the machines, which would be installed for the manufacture of steel pipes in-country when the Polaku Steel Pipe Mill becomes fully operational. She expressed optimism that the trainees would take the training seriously and ensure that they master the skills required for the technology transfer.
The Legal Coordinator reminded the trainees of the Executive Secretary’s charge to them during their pre-departure induction at the Board’s head office in Yenagoa, where he urged them to see their sponsorship to China as a lifetime opportunity and to make the best use of it and do themselves, their families and Nigeria proud by passing all tests required for relevant certification in Steel Pipe Manufacturing technology – so that they would return home as worthy ambassadors, who would pioneer the operation of Polaku Steel Pipe Mill.
She also reminded them the trainees of the Executive Secretary’s admonition to them on code of conduct, reiterating that they must be careful not to break the laws of the host country especially possession and use of illicit drugs because the punishment is very severe and that would be deeply disappointing to every stakeholder – the Board, Family and the Nation at large.
Speaking earlier through an interpreter, the Deputy General Manager of BSG, Mr. Yang Zongwan briefed the trainees on how to conduct themselves within the training facility and strict adherence to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) rules.
In his remarks, the BSG Director of Human Resources, Mr. Liu Jun enjoined trainees to be serious with every bit of their training and upbeat to succeed. He cautioned that there would a comprehensive set of tests to evaluate what the trainees have learnt and competency for certification.
