Bayelsa To Partner FG On Local Content Institute

The Bayelsa State Government says it will partner with the  Federal Government to ensure that the proposed Local Content Develompement Institute being constructed at Asuama in Kolokuma/Opoluma Local Government Area serves its expected purpose of training youths in requisite skills needed  in the oil and gas industry.

The State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, gave the indication in an interview with Government House correspondents shortly after inspecting the Institute in company of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Hajia Amina Az-Zubair.

Sylva, stated that government has very high hopes for the Institute,  saying that the project was being executed under a 50-50 partnership arrangement with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He said arrangements have been concluded with an Austrian group to collaborate with the State Government on the project, and expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its show of interest in the project.

On the level of involvement of  oil companies, who are expected to employ the products of the Institute, Governor Sylva explained that the basic idea of the Institute was to train youths for self-reliance, and not necessarily to be employed by the oil companies.

On her part, Hajia Amina Az-Zubair, expressed hope that the project would be fast-tracked and noted that  it was an essential component in the nation’s development process.