SIGMA-BASE TECHNICAL SERVICES OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO THE GHANAIAN YOUTH.

Mr. Ebow Haizel-Ferguson, the Director of Corporate Affairs and Community Relations of Sigma-Base Technical Services Limited has admonished Oil and Gas operators in the Oil find to enlist the services of Ghanaians in the Oil and Gas industry.

He noted that the Local Content Policy of the industry spells out the significance for Oil and Gas major stakeholders to work with Ghanaians to facilitate the progress of the industry. He delineated the Local Content Policy as the percentage of the locally produced materials, personnel, financing, goods and services to the Oil industry that can be measured in monetary terms.

Addressing a gathering at the Sigma-Base Oil and Gas training programme, held at Apowa, Mr. Ebow said Sigma-Base Technical Services is committed to training the Ghanaian youth to acquire maximum skills in readiness for the Oil and Gas industry.

He stated that Ghana Oil and Gas industry requires skills and a disciplined workforce. Epitomizing the Niger Delta scenario, he said the company is training the youth to be useful. This, he continued, will alleviate the frustration and anger in the youth.

He further declared that the belief that Ghana’s industry will take only few people upstream shouldn’t pose a threat to Ghanaians. He added that there are numerous opportunities in the industry for Ghanaians at the downstream sector.

Outlining few of the opportunities, Mr. Ebow said the Gas Commercialization Project will bring about industries such as Petrochemical and Metal based industries, Liquid Natural Gas Project, Tank farms and Refineries among others.

According to the Director, on the 28th January, 2010, a publication was released by Daily Graphic, captioned “Trinidad awaits Ghana’s Oil Deal”. In the publication, the Caribbean Atlantic Financial Holding has acquired a two thousand (2000) acre land at the Nzema area of Western Region to undertake a multi-billion dollar Gas-fed industrial estate and energy city.

The Caribbeans have therefore promised to replicate a three (3) billion dollar Point Lisas industrial estate which houses the world’s biggest ammonia plant and hosts one hundred and three (103) industries connected to the gas feed stock.

These industries employ eighteen thousand (18000) people and are managed by locals.
The publication also outlined the eagerness of the Caribbeans to fully support Ghana in the gas sector.

Mr. Ebow further added that on behalf of the trainees, Sigma-Base through Ghana Oil and Gas Services Providers Association (GOGSPA) met and discussed employment opportunities on industrial estate. He was optimistic about the outcome of their encounter with the Caribbeans.

On the understanding of the Fertilizer Plant which will be built at Shama by a Ghana-India collaboration of 1.1 billion dollars, he affirmed the project can also employ more than two thousand (2000) workers.

Speaking at the workshop, the Director said Sigma-Base Technical Services Limited is an indigenous Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Registered Oil and Gas Service Provider, based in Takoradi.

He declared that the company engages in Training, Recruitment, Supplies and Logistics Support Services for On-shore and Off-shore, and Engineering and Project Management among others. The company has since mobilized 1500 trainees.

He was keen on the eligibility of the trainees in the Oil and Gas industry and also stated that the training awards a National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Certificate.

On behalf of the company, Mr. Ebow Haizel-Ferguson appealed to the GNPC and the operators of the Jubilee field led by Tullow Ghana Limited to make contracts available to the local registered Oil and Gas companies so that the trainees will gain employment after completion.