NLNG to train 180 Nigerian technicians in South Korea

Nigeria Liqudfied National  Gas Limited (NLNG), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited (BGT), is facilitating the training of 180 young Nigerian technicians by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in South Korea.

These 180 young Nigerians will be trained to acquire requisite competencies and skills in ship building, as part of Nigerian Content Development activities agreed between BGT and HHI as contained in the contract for the construction of two new LNG Carriers for Bonny Gas Transport.

Of the 180 technicians traveling to South Korea for the three-month programme, the best 28 will remain to join in the construction of the six new vessels.

BGT in 2013 ordered six new vessels at a cost of $1.6billion from both Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) – two Ships and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) – four (4) ships to boost its shipping capacity.

As part of the agreement signed with the ship builders, 580 Nigerians will be trained in different aspects of ship building and construction in fulfilment of Nigerian Content Development for the ‘BGT Plus Project’.

In a goodwill message to the beneficiaries of the training programme, NLNG Managing Director and Vice President of BGT, Babs Omotowa, said: “Our commitment to Nigerianisation and Nigerian local content practice is strongly based on professionalism and competence and has enabled us groom Nigerians and companies that today compete on the world stage. Every action we take in Nigeria LNG Limited, we seek to help build a better Nigeria.

“That is why so many gains are evolving from these contracts with HHI and SHI. We want to ensure the right technology skills are transferred to help develop our maritime industry and this procurement provides us a good opportunity. There are other gains but this human capacity development stands out and we are proud to be contributing to capacity development and job creation in Nigeria.”