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30.09.2009 Business & Finance

Tullow Oil to build human capacity for emerging oil industry

30.09.2009 LISTEN
By Zambaga Rufai Saminu, Takoradi - Ghanaian Chronicle

Mr. Dai Jones, President and General Manager of Tullow Oil Ghana Limited, has assured the country of his company's commitment towards building a strong oil and gas industry that would not only create opportunities for all the partners in the industry, but would also involve Ghanaians in the management of the oil and gas resources.

“We recognise the entrepreneurial spirit in Ghanaians, and are looking to their creativity and ingenuity to partner us in overcoming the challenges that we share,” the President stated.

Mr. Jones gave the assurance when he addressed trainees and cadets of the Ghana Maritime University (GMU), who are currently undergoing a training course on board the Pacific Aurora vessel of Swire Pacific Offshore, a conglomerate supply vessel engaged in offshore maritime activities in Africa, and other parts of the globe.

The company is partnering Tullow Oil Ghana and the Maritime University in Ghana to give best maritime training to Ghanaian youth. According to the President, in an attempt to meet one of the expectations of the oil industry, which is to allow Ghanaians to fully participate in the industry at all levels of operations, they (Tullow and the Jubilee partners), in collaboration with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), have supported 14 Ghanaians to pursue technical programs, which would in effect equip them with technical and managerial skills to lead in every aspect of the oil industry.

Mr. Jones further announced that apart from this support to Ghanaian youth, the company, in collaboration with relevant partners, had also provided technical support to some of the tertiary institutions in the country, including the Takoradi Polytechnic, to enable them produce employable manpower for the emerging industry.

“We and our partners on the Jubilee Field are providing opportunities for young Ghanaian mariners to acquire the practical training that will equip them, not only to add value to their academic programs, but also make them a world class resource,” the President underscored.

All these beautiful approaches adopted by the company, according to the President and General Manager, formed part of the four core values of the company.

“Our focus is on results, our commitment to our stakeholders, integrity and respect for our communities we touch, and entrepreneurial spirit and initiative,” he mentioned.

The Deputy Rector of the Regional Maritime University, Mr. Alock Asamoah, in an address, bemoaned the shortage of manpower in the maritime industry globally, explaining that the situation obviously necessitates that there should be rapid expansion of the maritime training institutions and education needs of Ghanaians, to take advantage of the available opportunities.

Mr. Asamoah however expressed regret about the arduous task, indicating that, “provision of maritime education and training cannot be done by a singular effort of the university, except through collaborative efforts and assistance by stakeholders and other goodwill organisations in and outside the maritime industry.”

He commended the partners in this venture for rushing to the aid of the university.

The General Manager for Swire Pacific Offshore in Africa, Mr. Dominic Perret, on his part, explained the essence of the partnership, which he said, would benefit the oil and gas industry in Ghana.

He also pledged their commitment towards investing in people, particularly in communities where the company operates.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr. Nii Armah Ashitey, who was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural ceremony, touched on the key important sectors of the economy the government was so much concerned with - job creation and investing in Ghanaians.

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