Italian firm to promote local capacity in oil

The initiative targets small scale welders from Katwe and other areas as the country looks forward to construction of the oil refinery.

Kampala. As debate on local content in oil lingers on in the country, on what, who and how much Ugandans should gain, an Italian firm has made in-roads to boost local skills in the sector.

Istituto Italiano Della Saldatura (IIS), an Italian firm in oil engineering and welding has launched activities to equip Ugandans with the necessary expertise as required by the oil companies-Tullow, Total and CNOOC, already in operation.

Speaking at the launch ceremony last week, Eng. Michele Murgia, in charge of the education and training department said, IIS was targeting welding to help Ugandans get hands-on-training to enable them engage with the oil companies.

“We are not directly involved in exploration and production sectors but rather, the subsidiary activities necessary to sustain and promote local content in terms of employment,” Eng Murgia said.]

Alluding to Clause 8 of the National Oil and Gas policy, which affirms the development and maintenance of national skills, Eng. Murgia said: “It was a stepping stone to what Uganda is trying to achieve because we are introducing international welding standards.”

In Uganda, the company is yet to sign a memorandum of association with Kyambogo University to introduce courses in metal welding and engineering, to train interested Ugandans already engaged in small scale and rudimentary welding.

musisif@ug.nationmedia.com