Abuja – The Chairman of ARCO Group, Mr Joseph Akpieyi, has called on the Federal Government to ensure efficient implementation of the Nigerian Content Act to boost the nation’s indigenous oil and gas sector.
Akpieyi, made the call while addressing State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Akpieyi, however, expressed optimism that the Act, if well implemented, would provide job opportunities to thousands of unemployed Nigerians across the country.
“I raised the issue of the Nigerian Content Act with the President. Before the law was promulgated, everybody thought that would be a wonderful elixir for the oil and gas industry.
“But now, we think it can be better implemented.
“We called his attention to the fact that there is the need to give more teeth and muscle to that Act.
“By doing so, Nigerian companies in the oil and gas industry will grow and also expand. If they expand, that means they can employ more Nigerians.
“We saw that as a route towards reducing unemployment level we have in the county,’’ he said.
He stated that the President took the advice “very well to heart and I am sure he will see what can be done to make sure that the Nigerian Content Act is more effectively implemented’’.
The Nigerian Content Act provides for the development of Nigerian content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
The Act also provides that Nigerian independent operators shall be given first consideration in the award of oil blocks, oil field licences, oil lifting licences and in all projects for which contract is to be awarded in the Nigerian oil and gas industry subject to the fulfillment of such conditions as may be specified by the Minister of Petroleum.
It adds that there shall be exclusive consideration to Nigerian indigenous service companies which demonstrate ownership of equipment, Nigerian personnel and capacity to execute such work to bid on land and swamp operating areas of the Nigerian oil and gas industry for contracts and services contained in the schedule of the Act.
In his contribution, the Group Managing Director of ARCO, Mr Alfred Okoigun, commended the efforts of the President Buhari-led administration in promoting transparency in the management of the nation’s economy.
Okoigun expressed the readiness of the company to partner with the Federal Government in creating jobs, to enhance the President’s agenda of trying to do business in a transparent and honest way.
“We told the President that we can encourage talented young Nigerians to grow.
“This is the best time for honest and hardworking people to rise and get to the top of their careers,’’ he added.(NAN)