Business
Stakeholders Hail FG’s Local Content Policy
The local content policy of the federal government in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy has begun to create the desired impact.
Managing Director of GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited, Mr Godwin Ebolo, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Mr Ebolo explained that the Minister of Petroleum Resources had done a lot to engineer local oil and gas companies to build capacity to take their place in the industry.
The Managing Director said many local firms are now play major roles in the up stream and down stream sectors of the oil industry following the policy direction of the present administration.
He noted that the relationship between the local oil companies and their foreign counterparts had been increased as 35 to 40 per cent are now taken over by indigenous firms, stressing that local participation in the sector had improved tremendously.
Mr Ebolo explained further that most of the marginal fields are now controlled by local companies, emphasizing that in a short while they will take up to 80 per cent of the industry activities.
“Those of us involved in business especially in the oil and gas sector know that there is increased participation of local firms as a result of the laws being executed by the minister of petroleum,” Ebolo stated.
The Managing Director said the policy had helped to create employment for the teeming unemployed youths of the country, adding that the multiplier effect on the economy would be rewarding.
He therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of all stakeholders towards enhancing local capacity to deliver proactive strategies to sustain the new interest.