***Urges collaboration with Government 

Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has emphasized the need for the oil industry to spearhead technological advancement in Nigeria in order to address what he termed as a ‘national dilemma’.

 

He stressed the importance of collaboration between oil companies and the government to enhance technical capacity and promote the production of locally-made solutions.

 

Speaking at the Sweet Crude Dialogue event in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, organized by De Mangrove Conversations, Jonathan highlighted the significant amount of money spent by oil companies on importing equipment such as speed boats, machinery, and libraries for production activities, which ultimately contributes to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

 

Jonathan urged for a shift in approach, stating that leveraging the country’s oil resources is crucial for technological development.

 

He emphasized the need for the oil industry to work closely with the government to enhance technical capabilities and manufacture essential equipment domestically, which would pave the way for diversification into other sectors.

 

He said, “So, we can’t continue this way as a nation. Let me say, use what you have to get what you want.

 

“Since we have the oil, if we must develop technologically, we should start from the oil industry, it’s a national dilemma. We make sure that the oil companies participate with the government to develop the technical capacity and manufacture some of the needs of the oil industry we can diversify to all other aspects.

 

“I’m happy today. I’m saying this because of the local content, the Nigerian Content Development Management Board that has been represented. That is one of the reasons why, when I was in office, that law came to be.

 

“And that is the only way we can change the story of the oil industry. If we can develop some of these little things, these little, little things used in the oil industry cannot be developed within the country, then we, as a nation, we are not getting anything from the oil industry, it will not help our economy.

 

“It’s not just about selling crude oil. Yes, we earn money from that, but that does not create too many jobs. That does not diversify the economy.

 

“What will diversify the economy is the other aspect of the operations of the oil industry. That means that the amount of local production of most of the things we need in the oil industry. You are doing well.

 

He commended the Nigerian Content Development Management Board for promoting local content and emphasized the importance of developing small-scale solutions within the country to benefit the economy.

 

Jonathan also expressed optimism about the potential for legislative frameworks such as the Petroleum Industry Act to drive positive changes in the industry and address community concerns. In conclusion,

 

Jonathan encouraged ongoing dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from various backgrounds to drive progress in the oil industry and beyond.

 

He expressed confidence that with sustained efforts and adherence to relevant legislation, the younger generation would inherit a more prosperous and sustainable industry landscape.

 

The Chief host of the event and Governor of Bayelsà State, Senator Douye Diri, lamented that oil and gas resources from.the Niger Delta has powered the Nigerian federation, built cities and funded government but yet the communities where the wealth where drawn from lack basic amenities and lives in poverty.

 

Represented by the State Deputy Governor, Peter Akpe, said Bayelsà State has refused to accept that this stories cannot be written, and that’s why he encouraged and funded the Bayelsà State Oil and Environmental Commission, which gave a comprehensive scientific report of the environment genocide.

 

“The Bayelsà Government and Bayelsà State House of Assembly are working together on the Bayelsà State Environmental remediation and just transition bill to give effect to the commission’s recommendation.

 

“The theme of this dialogue, ‘Through the Pyyton’s Eye: 70 Years of Oil and Gas Production in Nigeria’, is a evocative and it is demanding.”

 

The convener and and Chief of Policy, De Mangrove Conversations, Biobele Da-Wariboko, said the dialogue aims to leverage on dialogue to raise higher decibels the several from the Niger Delta crying for fairness, equity, justice, and progress in the distribution of the region’s oil resources.