Mkpoikana Udoma
10 October 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – As part of efforts to generate wealth in the country and boost employment opportunities in the Niger Delta region, an indigenous oil firm, Belemaoil Producing Limited, has said that it is seeking foreign partners to invest in the advancement of technology in the oil and gas sector.
The Founder and President of Belemaoil, Mr. JackReich Tein, said this when the Deputy Canadian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Christolf, paid a courtesy visit to the company’s management.
Tein said his vision is to change the negative narrative of the Niger Delta region as portrayed and also show that Rivers State is safe for investors and investment both locally and internationally.
He harped on the need for investors to understand that the manner which business was done 40years ago needs to change in this jet age, where technology has evolved, and also the manner youths were looked at needs to change.
“All the companies operating in this state at one point have been told the state is unsafe for investment, I was also told the same thing, but I said no.
“Ever since we came around, the youths within our operating areas have been very friendly, the state government has been so supportive, matter of fact, when I had a minute with the governor he commended us for what we are doing and I told him my vision is to change the manner at which people look at this state and Port Harcourt, and he was happy about that.
“We will be happy to say here that we will be very okay to partner with investors from Canada to come in and form strategic alliance with Belemaoil.”
Jackreich Tein also reiterated the commitment of the company to the welfare of its host communities.
He said the vision behind Belemaoil Producing Limited is not just for shareholders and the business managers, but to ensure that there are strategic visible footprint in the host communities of operation.
“We consider the communities as strategic partners in creating wealth for all stakeholders. That is the reason why immediately we took over the operation, we took on the transformational agenda with great vigour.
“For us to have a our operations without disruptions, we have to understand what the host communities are looking for, they want employment, they want opportunity to go into technical and non technical partnership to enable them take active role in the industry.
“We have also invented what we call the Belemaoil model, which enables the host communities to put in what they really want through the guidance of our technical personnel who guide them through that part where they can make wealth for themselves. Our strategy is to take less and give more to the development of the host communities, and when you do these the community will see to the peaceful operation of your business.”
For his part, the Deputy Canadian Ambassador, Mr. James Christolf, assured that Canada will explore every business opportunity for the Canadian government, investors and entrepreneurs.
“In the oil and gas industry, ofcourse there are potential strategic alliances to be formed with Canadian companies and part of our job is to come here and make sure that we meet people, and understand companies, like Belemaoil and to provide services through the industry.
“To see where the strategic alliances rest is part of the reason we are here, and probably more importantly is the first visit step is to build relationship which you (Tein) talked about earlier, which needs to be the basis of partnership especially as we speak with Canadian companies who may not know the market that long.”