Angola's minister for oil Jose Gualter Inocencio has called for greater investment in local oil and gas training programmes as part of the country's Angolanisation framework.

Speaking in the port city of Lobito, the minister declared that practical technical training would provide an entry point for Angolans looking to enter the country's growing oil and gas industry.

AngolaPress reports that Mr Inocencio's announcement came at the inauguration of the new Sonamet Professional Training Centre in Lobito, which will train workers in pipe production and welding skills.

The company has set out plans for the centre to be staffed entirely by Angolan workers within five years. Currently, more than 50 per cent of Sonamet's total workforce are expatriates.

Among the international firms supporting the country's Angolanisation plans is Eni, which last year signed a memorandum of understanding to help establish an excellence training centre linked to Sonangol, the state oil and gas firm.

Getenergy for Ghana & West Africa, September 2010 - Accra