Local content: LADOL, Samsung build capacity with N1.6bn

The Chairman, Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base, Mr. Ladi Jadesimi, has said that an estimated N1.6bn has been invested in deepening local capacity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The investment, he said on Wednesday, was made by the firm in partnership with Samsung Nigeria Training Academy, and reiterated that the focus was mainly to build capacity among Nigerians operating in the oil and gas sector.

Jadesimi, who said LADOL currently had an FPSO integration contract with Samsung, explained that SaNTA was established in recognition of the fact that Nigerians needed to benefit from the widespread job creation which would result from Onshore FPSO integration, as well as other important local content milestones with extensive and diverse training provided by world class partners.

'So far, both companies have made total investment of $10m (N1.6bn) in SaNTA, an academy with initial capacity for a minimum of 250 students yearly. One of the things we are starting very soon is the construction of a technology institute with Samsung that will train Nigerians in various aspects of deep offshore. That is the only way we can do it. We have to build capacity by training and giving opportunities like work place experience,' he said.

The LADOL boss also emphasised the need to improve and build capacity in order for indigenous operators to partake in deep offshore investments, insisting that there was need to build in respect to deep water technology because it remained one of the most complex areas.

He said, '10 years ago, when promoters of LADOL conceived the idea, they did not just target Nigerian waters, because as far back as then, it was clear that the whole West-African sub-region was highly prospective in oil and gas.

'And this is followed by big discoveries in Ghana and increasing discoveries in Sierra Leone and Liberia and of course there are offshore discoveries. All of them will require facilities that we are preparing to execute for the whole region. As you are aware, our  specialty and focus is only on offshore.'