EACOP to skill, absorb Makerere students in oil project

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The East African Crude Oil Pipeline Company (EACOP) and Makerere University have entered a memorandum to build learners’ skills.

The memorandum signed on Tuesday will mainly benefit learners from the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology- (CEDET).

Under the memorandum, Makerere University is required to collaborate with EACOP to enhance knowledge and build capacity among recent graduates, technicians, instructors, professors, and lecturers from tertiary and vocational training institutions.

The initiative aims at capacity building and technology transfer to institutions, companies, and youths in the EACOP project to acquire skills and expose them to work experiences and training they may not attain in the classroom.

It is part of the efforts by the EACOP to implement the National Content obligations. The EACOP is to construct the longest heated crude oil pipeline to transport Uganda’s crude oil from Hoima to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.

Speaking at the signing of the memorandum, Natasha Kassam, the National Content Capacity Building Lead at EACOP said the company will be taking on interns for training.

Tier-one contractors will be required to be committed to training the trainers or take on graduate trainees for them to acquire hands-on skills.

Barnabas Nawangwe the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, commended EACOP for the opportunity for the young people which is aimed at contributing to the EACOP.

He also urges EACOP to tap into other disciplines of the university like the business school saying that there are a lot of opportunities where the university can Collaborate.

Martin Tiffen, the Managing Director of EACOP revealed that the current 600 kilometers of the pipe in Tanzania and now to be transported to the coating plant to put on the insulation coating. He added that in September or October, the pipe-laying exercise will start in both countries

“We are delighted to formalize our collaboration with Makerere University through this Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership highlights our commitment to fostering local talent and enhancing capacity-building initiatives in Uganda,” Tiffen said.

He said working closely with Makerere University, EACOP aims to equip recent graduates, technicians, and educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project and beyond.

The Petroleum Exploration, Development, and Production, and National Content Regulations of 2016 and subsequent amendments require operators in Uganda’s upstream oil and gas sector to prioritize employment and training of Ugandan citizens. Companies like EACOP are also required to provide opportunities for the development of skills and expertise among the local workforce.

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