SHIP BUILDING JOBS FOR EX-MILITANTS

IN NIGER DELTA.

Former Niger Delta militants undergoing training in welding and ancillary services at Bradama International Skill Works Limited in Agadagba-Obon in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State are set to land a new deal if an arrangement between the company and Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Limited, a firm of ship and heavy equipment builders materialises. They are expected to be employed
Bradama, a skill acquisition centre established by High Chief Bibopere Ajube, is  reputed to have trained highly-skilled welders since the Federal Government started sponsoring training programmes for ex-militants as part  of its Amnesty programme.
The deal is expected to lead to employment of over 1,000 trainees of the centre who will be deployed in the construction of heavy duty equipment and ship component- building after they have acquired prerequisite international training that will be provided in the centre.
General Manager, Samsung Heavy Industries, Frank Ejizu, who led experts on a visit to the centre, said the company was directed by reputable professionals in the welding construction industry to Bradama International Skill Works Limited because of its success.
His words: “We have been looking for a reputable company which specialises in welding and fabrication and we were directed to Bradama by experts because we intend to train people on fabrication and ship-building. We are here to look at the facility and we will soon make another more detailed visit to audit the facilities with a view to partnering them and upgrade the centre so that the training and certification will be of international standard”.
Samsung Heavy Industries will bring in experts from Korea to train the ex-militants to enable them acquire the prerequisite training exposure while the trainers will reside in the centre.
“It is not our intention to take over the centre, but we will partner the centre to churn out highly-skilled welders who will be able to stand tall among their colleagues all over the world. We are a company that believes that Nigerians with the relevant qualifications should be able to compete in the industry anywhere.
Ajube, while welcoming the company’s team to the centre, said he was glad that the outfit was so honoured by a reputable company like Samsung Heavy Industries and that Bradama’s success over the last three years have placed it as a reputable training centre not only in Nigeria, but in Africa.
“We are pleased to have the Samsung Heavy Industries’ team at the centre and we are optimistic that the arrangement will materialise and I will be happy to see our trained graduates working for established companies like Samsung Heavy Industries in the nearest future”, Ajube stated.
Trainees of the centre, who spoke to journalists, said they are happy at their training, praising the management of the centre for being up-to-date in their allowances; while they also applaud the facilities available at the centre.
Preye Francis, a trainee said some ex-militants who went to Malaysia to acquire training in welding and fabrication admitted that their exposures are nowhere near what is available at Bradama and they are trying to reapply to be trained there.