HYPREP ENGAGES 100 OGONI EX-ARTISANAL REFINERS IN COMMERCIAL DIVING, UNDERWATER WELDING TO BOOST NATIONAL ECONOMY, PRODUCTIVITY
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project has commenced the training of 100 youths of Ogoni extraction in Commercial Diving and Underwater Welding, an initiative aimed at boosting local and national economic growth, providing alternative livelihoods, enhancing the Ogoni cleanup, and stemming illegal oil activities in the area.
The HYPREP’s funded Training, which is being carried out by Mamba Underwater Diving Services Nig. Ltd, and Subweb Training Academy, was flagged off by the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey at Ebubu, Eleme, with 44 trainees inducted as first batch in the series of the training programme that will take six months to round off.
The beneficiaries who are ex-artisanal refiners in Ogoniland were carefully selected from the communities to undergo the programme that will have significant local and national economic benefits by curbing environmental pollution, fostering economic growth through skills training, reducing the cost of re-pollution, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and boosting local productivity and stability.
In his keynote address, the HYPREP Coordinator, Prof. Zabbey said the intervention is a key component of HYPREP’s livelihood restoration efforts in Ogoni, specifically targeted at Ex-Artisanal Refiners, providing an opportunity for them to transit from informal and hazardous activities to legal, safe, and sustainable employment, and that the application process for other high-demand skills, such as Ship Fabrication and Blasting, Mud lugging, Cyber Security, GIS and Crowd-Mapping, Rope Access, Software Development, Full stack Development, and more, has ended, and processing has started.
The Project Coordinator noted that the Commercial Diving and Underwater Welding programme, along with other livelihood interventions, is part of HYPREP’s broader commitment to discourage artisanal refining and oil theft by equipping beneficiaries with globally recognized industry skills, and that as highlighted in the UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland report, illegal artisanal refining poses serious environmental and health risks, as well as other devastating impacts of the illicit refining on soil, water, and air quality.
Prof. Zabbey urged all trainees to view the programme as the first step towards building legitimate and rewarding careers. “The skills you will acquire in commercial diving and underwater welding are highly specialized and in demand, both locally and internationally. Therefore, it is an opportunity to redefine your future and contribute to national development.
“Beyond the training, I encourage you to become ambassadors of change within your communities. Use your voice and experience to raise awareness of the dangers of environmental pollution and artisanal refining. Please note that your participation directly contributes to HYPREP’s anti-pollution and public health objectives,” he stressed.
The Project Coordinator commended the leadership of the Ogoni Ex-Artisanal Refiners Forum for their continued collaboration and support over the years in preventing re-pollution of remediated shorelines and restored mangrove sites in Ogoni, and urged them to continue in this role.
He also gave special recognition to the security team, whose dedication and ongoing engagement with the Forum, he said, have helped sustain anti-pollution efforts, wishing the trainees a successful and rewarding training experience.
Representatives of the training consultants, Mamba Underwater Diving Services Nig. Ltd, and Subweb Training Academy, gave Facility Guide and also took the trainees through the Training Modules.
They cautioned the trainees against truancy and acts of indiscipline, and particularly warned against consumption of alcohol while undergoing the training and during operations, explaining that commercial diving is a more serious career than vocational diving, reminding the trainees that they have come to get a career, and must take the training serious.
The consultants expressed appreciation to the Project Coordinator for approving the funding of the programme, and assured both HYPREP and the trainees of offering the best of training and keeping a good relationship with them.
“You must maintain a good attitude, and be disciplined. It’s a serious profession, and it’s like a military training. Any mistake leads to serious disaster. Transformation is possible, irrespective of who you are. So, be prepared to acquire the multiple skills,” the Managing Director of Subweb Training Academy admonished.
The Trainees were also presented with their medical fitness certificate by the Project Coordinator, Prof. Zabbey, followed by a charge by the Head, Sustainable Livelihoods, Mrs. Josephine Nzidee, and goodwill message by the Facilitator of Ogoni Ex-Artisanal Refiners Forum, Dr. Elvis Ikoma.
Dr. Ikoma commended the Project Coordinator, Prof. Zabbey for demonstrating passion for the Ogoni cleanup, and the initiative of empowering the Ex-artisanal Refiners, as well as being sensitive to the damage the illegal artisanal refining poses to the environment and health of the people.
He appealed to the beneficiaries to take their selection as well as the training as a privilege, not a right, and to demonstrate absolute commitment and loyalty to the course.
The event featured exhibition of diving equipment and tour of facilities at Subweb Training Academy.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Director of Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Management and staff of HYPREP and the Training firms.
