Human capacity gets boost as C&I Leasing trains 12 Nigerians on ship building

Determined to enhance the human capacity development in Nigeria’s shipping sector, C&I Leasing plc, an operational leasing and logistics support service company in Nigeria, has awarded a training sponsorship to 12 Nigerians to undergo a 6-week training on different aspects of ship building in the Damen shipyard in Romania.

The company described this as part of its strategic plan to encourage national capacity development in the marine sector. It also forms part of its contribution to ensuring that the requisite skills necessary for achieving the Nigerian Content goal of having wholly built Nigerian vessels.

The trainees left Nigeria on the 3rd of October 2015 and have already made significant progress on their training since their departure.

Speaking at a brief pre-departure ceremony, Jeff Tuatongha, technical assistant to the executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), who congratulated the candidates, also encouraged them to be on their best behaviour as their post training progress will to a large extent, be impacted by how well they perform in the course and applicable assessments throughout the training. Tuatongha, who represented the executive secretary of the board, commended the management of C&I Leasing for the initiative, he described as a significant contribution to the Human Capital Development mandate of the NCDMB under the Nigerian Content Act (NOGICD Act 2010).

He urged the trainees to conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors throughout their stay in Romania.

Wisdom Nwagwu, general manager, Petrotech Marine, said on behalf of C&I Leasing that the initiative was in fulfilment of a commitment to develop local capacity at the company’s bidding stage of a contract for the provision of four security patrol boats for Nigeria LNG.

He further disclosed that Damen’s Shipyard in Romania is one of the largest shipyards in the world, and further advised the trainees to make the most use of the opportunity they have during the training.

Recall that C&I Leasing, an easily recognised name in operational leases in Nigeria, has in recent times become a leading Nigerian content player in the offshore marine vessel space, operating a fleet of 18 vessels that include terminal tugs, patrol vessels, fast support intervention vessels and platform support vessel. The company was recently awarded contracts for another 6 vessels expected to start work by January 2016.

Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie