Nigerdock Expresses Worry over Paucity of Jobs for Local Contractors

The Chairman of Nigerdock Nigeria Plc FZE, Mr. Anwar Jarmakani has raised the alarm that paucity of jobs for indigenous contractors in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry would lead to unemployment and make Nigeria uncompetitive.

Speaking on Monday at the Snake Island facility of the company during the sailaway ceremony of the Ofon Phase 2 platforms fabricated by his company for Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Jarmakani argued that a consistent work programme should be developed for indigenous contractors to train and employ the youths of the country.

According to him, a stopstart programme will keep the contractors and the rest of the country uncompetitive, thus hindering them from reaching their full potential.

“During the peak of projects, Nigerdock had over 5,000 highly trained professionals employed; unfortunately as these projects are reaching their close-out, the number will continue to reduce. A consistent work programme must be developed for champions of industry like Nigerdock, so that we can keep employing the great youths of this nation and train them to be leaders in their craft and trade. We will be able to have a more sustainable investment model and we can be more competitive and economical in our market,” he explained.

Jarmakani also disclosed that the Ofon platform was the first engineering, procurement, construction and onshore commissioning (EPC) contract awarded to an indigenous contractor.

“Following the start of this project, it has been a celebration of one milestone after another, culminating into the full completion and delivery and of the project work scope. The project will bring about additional oil and gas production from 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day to 65,000 barrels per oil equivalent per day.