Plans for a new training academy aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled port workers serving the oil and gas industry in Nigeria's Delta State have been unveiled by local officials.

Coming soon after the government of the African state gave the go-ahead to plans to construct an oil and gas servicing terminal in the town of Warri, state governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has explained that the new academy will play a crucial role in addressing the ongoing manpower needs of the sector.

As an example, he revealed that shipping pilots working for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will be trained so as to enable them to work within the Delta region, which has become the focus of the country's oil production and exporting efforts over recent years.

"We would like to establish an atmosphere whereby the pilotage system that operates in the real Excravos channel is a formal one," added Mallam Adbul Salam Mohammed, managing director of the NPA.

"We intend to partner with various communities in achieving the formalisation of this system of Pilotage district."

At the same time, Shell Nigeria has announced its intentions to reduce exports from the country as a result of local unrest.

Oil & Gas Directory: Training & Development