Mkpoikana Udoma
Abuja — The Oil Producers Trade Section has identified security, legislature, fiscal regime, funds and infrastructural deficits as areas that need urgent attention for Nigerian Content to thrive in the oil and gas sector.
Chairman, Nigerian Content Development Subcommittee at OPTS, Joseph Ofili, disclosed these during the Nigerian Content Seminar at the 20th Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference NOG2021 in Abuja.
Ofili spoke as a panelist on how a conducive business environment can be created for Nigerian Content to thrive, anchored by Mrs. Anike Odunlami, General Manager Nigerian Content Development, Chevron Nigeria Limited.
“To boost Nigerian Content in the oil ans gas sector, the areas we need to look into are legislature, security, funds, infrastructural deficits and fiscal regimes.
“Fiscal regime in the oil and gas industry is very key. Foreign Direct Investment is important because the industry is both technology and capital intensive.
“Secondly, no one would want to invest where they are not sure of the laws, cause another government could wake up and change the laws anytime,” Ofili explained.
Also, another panelist, Mrs Eyono Fatayi-Williams, GM External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, advocated for inclusion of more women in the managerial cadre of the oil industry.
Fatayi-Williams, represented by the Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, NLNG, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, argued that there is increased profitability when there is more participation of women in an organisation.
She disclosed that for her company, the NLNG was committed to diversity and inclusion, regarding women, people with disabilities and minorities.
“It is not enough to say that we (the industry) are gender sensitive, we must set targets, get feedbacks and set timeline to get female inclusion and participation in the industry.
“We at NLNG are passionate in diversity and gender inclusion, not only in our workforce but including other areas such as contracts, etc.”
