The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has formally given out starter packs to the 92 artisans trained in different construction skills under its capacity building initiative for youths of selected oil bearing communities.
The hand-over of the work kits marked the formal end of the artisanal training programme which was organised for six months in collaboration with the Federal University Utuoke, Bayelsa State. The participants got classroom and practical exercises in areas like carpentry, tiling, scaffolding, iron bending, plumbing, electrical installation, painting and mason.
Addressing the trainees, the Executive Secretary, Mr. Denzil Kentebe explained that the Board conceived the training to improve the skill levels of select artisans to the standard required by the oil and gas sector.
He expressed hope that their abilities had been enhanced reasonably such that they would contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by the Manager, Capacity Building Division of the Board, Engr. Frank Ibi encouraged the participants to develop themselves further in the areas they specialised, stressing the need for them to be focused and make best use of the training they had acquired.
Ibi also disclosed that the Board was working to get the trainees absorbed in the ongoing construction of the Board’s 17-storey headquarters.
Responding on behalf of the trainees, the class representative, Mr. Sagric Bamugha commended the Board for opportunity, noting that they had been taught how to fish as opposed to being fed with fish. According to him, “We have acquired skills that can put food on our table and we thank the Nigerian Content Board for this.”
The artisans were later presented with various work tools they would need to start up their various endeavors.
