Abazie, Anowi, others proffer strategies for local content development

Nigeria with a population of over 180 million people, obviously is the biggest market in Africa, and ought to be a strong market for its manufacturing sector. When West African sub-region and other African markets are added, then there is a huge existing market for whatever quality products and services from Nigeria. Unfortunately, this has not been so.

With adequate investment, training and mentorship geared towards the development of local content, the manufacturing sector can generate massive employment, fight poverty, create wealth, enhance exports and diversify foreign exchange earnings especially now that the federal government is looking for alternative routes of the oil sector.

These were the assertions of stakeholders and industry experts including Engineering Manager, Shell Nigeria, Nnamdi Anowi, Asset
Integration Lead, Jonathan Amachree, Head Maintenance and Execution at Shell Nigeria, Ken Ibeneme, Chairman, Strides Group, Mr. Moritz Abazie, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Integrated, Steve Ayiyi, Head Turnaround Maintenance, Akintunde
Olasubulumi, And Manager, Contract and Procurement Production, Chioma Okpochi who gathered yesterday in Lagos at the Shell Nigeria Content Day Exhibition.

With the theme “Made in Nigeria, Fit for the future”, the event provided a platform for interaction between exhibitors, Shell
Staff/Contractors as well as other key industry stakeholders to showcase in-country manufacturing opportunities and competitive local
alternatives in the oil and gas sector.

Chairman of Strides Group, Mr Moritz Abazie who identified the capacity building as key to the development of local content said there was an urgent need for increased training and mentorship to get more value.

Speaking on the topic, “Local content opportunities/challenges in production and maintenance engineering”, he stated that training
should be domesticated to handle issues that are peculiar to our environment and generate adequate human capital for our oil and gas
industry

Abazie who noted the need for a long-term business vision said starters in the industry should strive to build capacity to
international standards; and facilitate the implementation of total compliance with local content requirements through effective human
capacity development strategies in alignment with Federal Government directives and applicable laws.

“For the local content policy to be successful, local content manufacturers must strive to improve capacity in order to achieve a
long-term dream. We need to have a clear vision, clear view of goals, by then you can structure strategies to accomplish them because you can not invest in the right human resource capabilities if you do not have a long-term goal. The need to build capacity is also necessary
because the industry patronizes you when you have established”.

Engineering Manager, Shell Nigeria, Nnamdi Anowi identified the quality of service and service delivery, joint industry partnership, long-run investment plans, the introduction of technology in ease of business as the greatest assets to a sound local content survival.

Earlier, the managing director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), Mr Bayo Ojulari said the nation’s
content development drive offers a viable platform through the company contributes to the in-country value creation and retention aspirations of the government.

“We actively seek opportunities to support and showcase strides made by Nigerian companies in the manufacturing of import-substituting
goods and services especially those required for oil exploration and production,” he added.