BUNYORO: CNOOC TO TRAIN OVER 100 DRIVERS OF HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES

By Innocent Atuganyira

HOIMA:

China National Offshore Oil Corporation {CNOOC} Uganda Limited has launched the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers draining and licensing program for this year.

The training that will see 110 drivers trained, licensed and certified in preparation for operations in the oil sector.

The training of the drivers was flagged off by Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom (BKK) on Tuesday and the applicants were drawn from all districts of Bunyoro and Hoima City.

While flagging off the training at Kingdom’s offices, the Kingdom’s Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga Ateenyi hailed CNOOC Uganda and the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) for working with Bunyoro Kingdom in building the capacity of the people in Bunyoro to benefit from the oil industry.

‘’Beyond the drivers, there is a need to work together to empower and build capacities of the people of Bunyoro to attain jobs and business opportunities that are in the oil industry,’’ the Premier said.

He implored companies to work with the Kingdom and other stakeholders in addressing the social-economic needs of the people not only in districts hosting oil operations but also in other areas in Bunyoro that are yet to reap the benefits of oil.

The CNOOC Uganda’s National Content Manager Mr. Kyaligonza Mathew said the drivers who complete the training will qualify to drive heavy goods trucks and trailers (Class CH license) or rigid trucks (Class CM license).

“This training will enhance the knowledge and practice of professional driving among Ugandan heavy goods vehicle drivers by training them according to the East African Community standardized curriculum for drivers of large commercial vehicles and international standards for drivers,” Kyaligonza said.

He also revealed that this year, CNOOC Uganda is sponsoring the training & international certification of 160 welders in 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and 6G coded welding.

‘’CNOOC has also planned to train over 200 small scale entrepreneurs in enterprise development programmes,’’ he said.

He added that 60 participants will attain training and certification under the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).

Mr. Aggrey Mugume who spoke on behalf of PAU said government will continue working with Bunyoro Kingdom and other stakeholders to implement local content in order to enhance benefits to Ugandans accruing from the oil and gas industry.

The training will be conducted by the Uganda Driving Standards Agency (UDSA), one of the contractors of CNOOC Uganda Ltd.