Oil and Gas to employ 160,000 Ugandans during peak construction phase

The oil and gas industry will indirectly employ up to 160,000 Ugandans during the development phase peak including 13000 direct jobs according to the petroleum directorate.

Speaking during the Stanbic Uganda 4th Local Content Conference on Oil and Gas 2017 head of petroleum at the directorate Bernard Ongodia told delegates that the country expects that the country expects up to $20 billion in investments from the sector including development of the oil fields, the refinery and crude oil petroleum during its life time that will hugely impact Uganda’s GDP currently estimated at $27 billion.

He emphasized the need for Ugandans to play a crucial role in the development of the requisite infrastructure either through provision of skills or materials as highlighted by the national content policy with employment of Ugandans, utilization of goods produced in Uganda and supply by Ugandan enterprises is key.

Ongodia noted that the real chance for national content participation is during the development phase with the government already having identified 16 industries with national content potential and which have already been reinforced through regulations.

Among this industries include: transportation, security, food and beverage, hotel accommodation and catering, human resource management, office supplies, fuel supplies, land survey, clearing and forwarding, crane hire, construction materials, civil works, environmental social impact assement, communications and IT and Waste Management.

Already the government in conjuction with Total has created a national supply database portal for supplies wishing to supply goods and services to the oil and gas sector to register. The ministry will through relevant agencies support 30 local companies  upgrade their HSE as well as develop standards for goods and services reserved for Ugandans.

“It is estimated that the number of Ugandans employed directly in the oil and gas sector will significantly go down to just 3000  in the production phase hence the need to take advantage of the place we are at and ensure maximum benefits for our people,”Ongodia said.

Ongodia adds that the petroleum directorate is working towards the upgrading of necessary skills in the sector through various programmes and projects such as the establishment of an industry enhancement center, development of a national petroleum database and national talent center as well as support to educational institutions and communication of demand to the market.

Several development partners are currently involved in the development of skills including SOGA, the world bank funded Albertine Regional Sustainability development project, NORAD funded project to enhance oil and gas management among others.

CnooC is currently heading the development of a national talent register.

These areas were identified by local content study back in 2011 that had 20 recommendations and 5 thematic areas including institutional framework, capacity building in people, enterprise development, facilitating national participation and monitoring national content achievements.

“The Petroleum Authority of Uganda is committed to enhancing a national participation of Ugandan citizens and companies through national content. Their participation in the development and production phase is very crucial if the country is to achieve national content,” says executive director at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda Ernest Rubondo.

The three day conference that commenced yesterday 20th February is scheduled to end tomorrow.

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