By Els William
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has thrown its weight behind a transformative training initiative aimed at sharpening the skills of Nigerians in oilfield operations, declaring that “in-country capacity is the cornerstone of our mandate.”
The 12-month Rig Site Cutting Services and Treatment Training Programme — organised by WASCO oil servicing company in collaboration with TotalEnergies and NCDMB — was formally flagged off at Casoni International Hotel, Port Harcourt, on Thursday.
Addressing the trainees, NCDMB’s Supervisor of Human Capacity Development, Mr. Joseph Samuel, said the Board would not relent in its mission to produce a competent local workforce capable of driving indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry.
“Developing in-country capacity remains a cardinal aspect of the NCDMB mandate, and we will continue to invest in human capital development until that mandate is fully realized,” Samuel affirmed. He challenged the participants to approach the programme with seriousness and determination, assuring them of the resources and mentorship needed to excel.
The training, blending classroom instruction with on-the-job practice, will cover a wide range of modules: Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Microsoft Office, presentation skills, volunteerism, Nigerian Content awareness, oil and gas project management with PM certification, document control, Tropical Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (T-BOSIET), and solid control equipment operations.
In a symbolic start to the programme, the trainees took an oath to uphold a strict code of conduct, underscoring the discipline and professionalism expected throughout the course.
The event closed with a group photograph capturing officials from WASCO, TotalEnergies, NCDMB, and the trainees — a snapshot of a partnership that organisers say will deepen local expertise, boost job readiness, and keep critical oilfield competencies firmly in Nigerian hands.