Oil and Gas: Govt asked to invest in skills development
Jun 29, 2014
As Uganda readies for oil production, government has been advised to invest in practical skills development such as oil drilling as opposed to acquiring theoretic knowledge.
By Henry Sekanjako
As Uganda readies for oil production, government has been advised to invest in practical skills development such as oil drilling as opposed to acquiring theoretic knowledge.
Former energy minister for energy Richard Kaijuka said most of the attention has been on acquiring knowledge on oil and gas management without thinking about practical skills which he says are equally important.
“Let us use these training institutions to acquire practical skills than degrees in Geology. Ever since we discovered oil I am hearing people acquiring degrees in this and that without thinking about the gap being created in skills development,” said Kaijuka.
Kaijuka made the remarks at Protea Hotel Kampala while officiating at the weeklong training workshop organized by the Africa institute for minerals petroleum and energy resources and the center for energy petroleum mineral law and policy of university of Dundee for officials from different government departments on revenue management.
The chairman of the institute for minerals petroleum and energy resources noted that government needed to put in place good plans that will ensure that the anticipated oil resources are properly utilized to develop the country by addressing its future needs.
“Uganda should use examples from other countries and invest the oil resources in good priorities,” he said.
He also stated that government needed to ensure that corruption which is common today does not derail benefits which are expected from the Oil and Gas resources.
Charles Mcpherson, from center for energy, Petroleum and mineral law and policy said there was need for transparency to ensure that the oil resource benefits the country.
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