The Deputy Minister for Energy, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini says records available at the Ministry of Energy revealed that 1500 jobs had been created in the oil and gas sector of the economy, for which 840 were Ghanaians.

He indicated that government had initiated a number of laws that would regulate the oil and gas industry to ensure the nation derives the needed benefits.

This was made known, when Alhaji Fuseini took his turn on the floor of parliament to answer questions yesterday.

The Minister stated that his ministry in colloboration with Tullow Ghana was establishing an SME Skills development centre in Takoradi.

He mentioned that Tullow had also allocated 40% of annual scholarships to the people in the Western Region which was initiated by Tullow to train Ghanaians in UK Universities in oil and gas.

Alhaji Fuseini noted there was also an enactment of local content and local participation regulations to safeguard the interest of communities directly affected by the oil and gas activities.

According to the Minister, government was also implementing a Western Corridor infrastructure development programme that will be funded by the China Development Bank loan.

Alhaji Fuseini indicated that the Oil and Gas Capacity Building Project (OGCBP) which had been implemented by the ministry in partnership with its development partners was to strengthen institutions of learning such as KNUST, Council for Technical and Vocational, Education and training (COTVET), Takoradi Technical Institute, Kikam Technical Institute and Regional Maritime University.

He added that as a result, the Petroleum Commission will have an operational office cited in Takoradi to enable the people of Western Region ascertain the needed information.

ISD