No fewer than 29 Niger Delta ex-militants, who benefitted from the amnesty programme, have been offered employment by a leading supplier of technology, Schlumberger Technologies of France.
The employment is automatic for the pardoned militants after the completion of a 12-month specialised course in oil drilling at the company headquarters in France.
A statement signed by the Head, Media and Communications, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, noted that the former militants were expected to work at sites of the company’s facilities in Nigeria.
Schlumberger’s business manager for Europe and Africa, Mr. Pierre Bihan, who confirmed the appointment, noted that the decision was reached to retain the former militants because of their brilliant performance.
He said, “It is true that we have been training students from several countries of the world but I must confess that these Nigerian students are exceptional. Their level of discipline is very high.
“Their ability to cope under immense pressure is second to none and, more important; their good showing in both theory and practice is irresistible. Schlumberger has decided to employ most of them for their facilities in Nigeria.
“They have gone through the best training possible in drilling engineering and it is our hope that they will now put to practical use what they have been taught in oil drilling.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, who was at the event in France, lauded Schlumberger for offering employment to the former militants.
He thanked the trainees for being worthy ambassadors saying, “On behalf of our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who made this training possible, I want to thank the trainees for making us proud.
“This is what we call practical support. Schlumberger has shown today that it is a true friend of Nigeria. Nigeria is grateful to you.”
Kuku added that a job fair would be organised in Nigeria for the remaining trainees, who were not given employment, to be recruited by oil companies operating in Nigeria.
In their remarks at the event, the Chairman of Schlumberger Africa, Mr. Shola Oyinlola, and the Head of Schlumberger West Africa, Engr. Eke Eke, both commended the delegates for choosing to be excellent.
Source: Punch
