By Sunday Elom N
The maiden edition of the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing, ASNT, Level III Certification Training programme sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has been concluded in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital with 30 graduates.
The training, which covered extensive theoretical concepts of Non-Destructive Testing, NDT, methods, detailed practical sessions and several virtual reviews with mock examinations and was conducted by Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited and Inspection & Tests Nigeria Limited, ITNL, started on October 5, 2020.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, who was represented by the deputy manager, capacity building division of the board, Mr. Timbiri Augustine, said that the training was intended to fill the gaps that were identified in the oil and gas sector and beyond; adding that the Board’s Human Capital Development programmes on building capacity and skills acquisition were in line with the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap which targets to increase Nigerian Content levels to 70%, create 300,000 jobs and reduce capital flight in the country.
Wabote congratulated the trainees for the successful completion of the training and acquiring the highest-level of certification of NDT required in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors. He also commended Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited and Inspection & Tests Nigeria Limited for delivering world class training to the trainees.
In his welcome address, the president of the Association of Non-Destructive Testing Practitioner, ANTEP, Chief Rowland Nze, also congratulated the trainees and commended the NCDMB’s capacity building initiative which according to him, has changed the narrative of quality control processes in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
Nze further asserted that the board, through its partnership with ANTEP, had empowered the practice of NDT in the Nigerian oil and gas space, saying that some companies now have investments in both advanced equipment and human resources.
The ANTEP boss added that local practitioners had invested with the confidence that first consideration will be given to the Association for all NDT jobs in Nigeria.
In their separate comments, the chief executive officer of Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited, Engr. Ndubuisi Chijioke, and his counterpart, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi, of Inspection & Tests Nigeria Limited who congratulated all participants for their studious efforts during the programme, appreciated the NCDMB for filling the skill gap in the NDT industry. They, however, appealed to the board to continue in its quest to build local capacities in the oil and gas industry.
Engr. Chijioke reiterated that Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited was willing to offer job placements to the successful candidates who participated on the training programme.