Empowered Bunyoro youth urged to create jobs, not seek them

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KAKUMIRO

Bunyoro region youth trained in vocational skills have been urged to become job creators rather than job seekers.

During the graduation ceremony of 754 youths from families affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) in western Uganda, Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) social affairs co-ordinator, Samuel Mugisa, emphasized the importance of utilising the skills gained during their four-month vocational training.

“The skills you’ve acquired are lifelong assets. Use them to create your employment opportunities. We don’t expect you to approach EACOP or other oil companies looking for jobs,” Mugisa advised.

He highlighted that the Government had committed to empowering Ugandans to benefit from the oil and gas sector, expressing satisfaction that what started as a dream has become a reality. The graduates, awarded certificates, are now equipped to tap into opportunities within and beyond the sector.

He revealed that over 2,000 youth from the oil and gas project area (Albertine region) have been trained and equipped with different skills.

The beneficiaries of the EACOP training were from the districts of Hoima, Kikuube, Kakumiro, Kyankwanzi and Mubende. Out of 754 beneficiaries were 249 on scholarship. They were trained and empowered in different disciplines, including electrical installation, tailoring, hairdressings, welding, building and contraction, carpentry and joinery, motor vehicle and motorcycle mechanics and catering.

Livelihood restoration

EACOP corporate affairs manager, Eileen Baguma, said training is part of their livelihood’s restoration programme for all the families whose land was acquired for the pipeline project.

Baguma, who was representing EACOP deputy managing director, John Bosco Habumugisha, said the livelihoods restoration programme was designed to ensure that all the families affected by the EACOP Project get an opportunity to increase their production and income.

She noted that agriculture, enterprise development, sustainable water solutions, vocational skills training and corporate social responsibility as some of the components of livelihood restoration programmes that have been offered to the project-affected families.

She challenged the beneficiaries to be the ambassadors of the EACOP project by utilising the acquired skills and also sharing knowledge with the youth in the community who missed the opportunity.

She noted that all the beneficiaries will be provided with startup kits regarding their discipline and promised to follow up on the beneficiaries to ensure they put the skills to proper use.

"We believe that equipping you with appropriate skills will provide you with opportunities in your capacity to start enterprises or engage in productive activities that can enhance your household income, I trust that you will be role models for other young people in your communities because now they are looking up to you as role models who have benefitted by Acquiring knowledge, I encourage you to be resilient and professional as you embark on your journey," she said.

Skilling is the way

Speaking as chief guest at the graduation at Busanga Primary School in Kasabya village, Katikara sub-county, Kakumiro district, Kakumiro Resident District Commissioner Maj. David Matovu commended the funders of the training adding such vocational skills training is key in addressing the challenge of unemployment amongst the youth.

He noted the training has added value to the beneficiaries and underscored a need for supporting more young people whom he said lack such skills to sustain their lives.

Matovu also called on the people of Bunyoro to support the oil and gas development and urged them to always seek redress from relevant authorities in case they have issues instead of being used by self-seekers to fight against the sector.

"The oil and gas are not yet out but see how it has changed Bunyoro! Good roads have been constructed, youth empowered with life skills, the airport's construction is soon getting completed and people have constructed good houses. So, this is our resource and we need to guard it jealously,” he said.

Atuhairwe Miriam from kidoma village in Kikuube district, speaking on the behalf of the beneficiaries. (Courtesy)

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Miriam Atuhairwe from Kidoma village in Kizirafumbi sub-county in the Kikuube district, commended EACOP for supporting their training.

She noted that the training has equipped them with the skills that will help them be job creators and overcome unemployment.

Atuhairwe said most of them have been in their community without the skills yet their parents were unable to support them to further their studies.

The implementation of the EACOP project are the governments of Uganda and Tanzania (represented by Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), respectively), Total Energies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) under the company called EACOP LTD.

EACOP LTD has contracted China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering C.LTD to carry out the construction work which includes civil works and construction camps.

In Uganda, the pipeline (296km long) will traverse 10 districts and 25 sub-counties. In Tanzania, the pipeline (1,147km long) will traverse eight regions and 25 districts. The construction of the proposed crude oil pipeline is expected to cost sh12 trillion and the pipeline to transport over 40,000 barrels per day.

Under this project, Uganda and Tanzania are going to invest 30% while oil companies are to invest 70% of the total cost of the project. The project period is three years.