The Libyan National Oil Company (LNOC) has announced that it will hire 157 deaf and dumb employees to work in the national and international oil and gas industry.

According to the Pana news agency, the workers will be enrolled on oil and gas training programmes that will prepare them for a career in the energy sector, with the focus of the training resting on vocational and technical skills development.

Once the training programme is complete, the workers will be posted to both national and international companies.

In pursuance of the employment programme, LNOC is currently inviting information from schools for the deaf and dumb across the country regarding the capability of their students to work in the oil and gas industry.

Libya is Africa's largest oil producer and a founding member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. According to a statistical review carried out by BP, the country has proven reserves of 41.6 billion barrels; Nigeria, Africa's second largest producer, holds 36.2 billion barrels.

Getenergy for Ghana & West Africa, September 2010 - Accra