Pact seeks to open up oil, gas opportunities

Dar es Salaam. Lack of education on safety and marine defence could be a hindrance for Tanzanians to seize opportunities in the oil and gas sector, according to experts.

The discovery of natural gas and the growth of the oil and gas sector in Tanzania present significant opportunities, especially employment for Tanzanians, but without the required skills, one cannot get a job in the sector.

According to experts, anyone wishing to engage in activities in the deep sea where natural gas has been discovered in Tanzania needs to undergo various safety and asset protection training.

For many years, the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (Pura) has been involved in various studies, and Tanzanian experts have had to undergo these training abroad.

In addressing this, the Director-General of Pura, Mr Charles Sangweni, said, “We began seeking ways to enable our professionals and other Tanzanians to receive this training locally.”

Mr Sangweni, speaking at the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between Pura and the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI), on March 13, 2024, stated that such a step would help reduce the cost of sending Tanzanians abroad for training.

“Currently, sending someone for five days’ training abroad costs up to $7,000, which is approximately Sh15 million. So, when we saw this challenge, we sought a way to enable more Tanzanians to receive this education so they can actively participate in activities and research conducted in the deep sea,” he said.

He explained that this was the primary reason for engaging with DMI, who agreed to offer the course and provide a broader understanding of oil and gas and the various equipment used.

“We saw this as an opportunity to empower more Tanzanians to participate in this sector as the country continues negotiations with those who have discovered oil offshore before projects begin implementation in the next few years,” he explained.

He said they believed that many ships would come to develop the discovered gas wells, which amount to more than 58 wells in different phases.

“Drilling one well takes up to 18 months, and these ships will require cooks, sanitation workers, and professionals. Even if someone knows how to do these jobs, without the permit obtained after completing safety training, they won’t be eligible,” he elaborated.

“We believe that to access more opportunities for Tanzanians, this is one of the strategies that needs to be implemented as early as possible.”

For DMI, this is also an opportunity for them to learn and see how they can expand the scope of training to cover the entire oil and gas sector when producing Tanzanian professionals.

The institute, which provides education for sailors and maritime workers, will utilise this cooperation to enhance its programmes to benefit more Tanzanians.

“We want to collaborate to ensure that Tanzanians receive the education and expertise they need to be employable in exploration and gas mining areas,” said the director of the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI), Dr Tumaini Gurumo.

While the institute had experts, Pura had supervisors and specialists who would ensure Tanzanians had opportunities to work in the upcoming ventures.

“In this collaboration, we will fill the gaps where one party lacks. Currently, many courses related to maritime issues are offered abroad. But now, we will address those gaps and provide training locally,” she said.

Despite the opportunities for Tanzanians, she said no one would be allowed to work on a marine vessel without undergoing safety and defence training.