The adoption and implementation Local Content policies in key sectors of the Nigerian economy will address the high unemployment rate in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engineer Simbi Wabote has said. He made this assertion last week in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at an event organized by the Institute of Directors (IoD), Nigeria, where he made a presentation as the Guest Speaker.
In his presentation titled, “Addressing Unemployment: Local Content Option”, Wabote regretted that for many years, until lately, Nigeria had regarded crude oil as a commodity, instead of a resource – a situation which resulted in the loss of all in-country value adding activities and opportunity to capture the full benefits of the derivatives of crude oil. He noted that the enactment of Local Content Law in the oil and gas industry and its implementation has become a game changer, helping Nigeria to claw back work, services and spend which used to leave the country to other parts of the world. He reiterated that the essence of local content policy is “domiciliation and domestication”.
Stating that the oil and gas sector is not a huge employer of labour, compared to Agriculture, the Executive Secretary commended the current emphasis on Agriculture and diversification by the Federal Government of President Muhammad Buhari. He also lauded the Federal Government’s reinforcement of the Local Content Policy through the issuance of Executive Order 5, designed to boost local content practice in other critical sectors of the economy. He argued that with the huge unemployment figure of about 16 million from the Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a staggering number equal to the total population of three West African countries of Sierra Leone, Togo and Liberia, Nigeria needs to extend Local Content practice to other critical sectors like Agriculture, ICT, Construction, Power and Manufacturing in order to tackle the scourge of unemployment in the country. Wabote also argued that for Nigeria to derive full benefits from Agriculture, it must look at the various derivatives across Agricultural supply chain as to create jobs and boost the economy. He cautioned, “we must not repeat the mistake of ‘commodity trading’ with agriculture”.
Speaking further, he enjoined the Directors to be circumspect about agreements with foreign development partners and financiers and ensure that their companies do not pen contracts which would lead to loss of jobs for Nigerians.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Director-General and CEO of IoD, Nigeria, Mr. Dele Alimi indicated that the Institute exists to promote good corporate governance. Similarly, the Chairman, Port Harcourt Zone of IoD, Sir Innocent Harry in his welcome address stated that the Institute was interested in finding solutions to the problem of youth unemployment hence the decision to invite the Guest Speaker.
7 Responses
This is a very welcomed development, I read mechanical engineering and after my NYSC, I have been looking for an opportunity to learn skills or go for a training to improve on what I read in school, I was even willing to pay so as to get experience but to no avail.., I’m so happy to hear these good news…please help us the engineering graduates in Nigeria
Indeed,it will be great change if the decision were justified,as an Engineer.Engineering is the backbone of development in all aspect and Nigeria as a lot talent students which should be handle well..example Korea and Japan were vastely depend on importation of local resources and harnessing that local resources to be international goods with their available local Engineers.Nigeria should take note from that as solution
Nice one, hope it will affect the grass root or a normal Nigeria citizen,
You realy trying but I applied no any responds fro ncdmb
Well said, has a recommendation well understood, the local content policy should be extended to other sectors of the economy, the main concern and negative effect of the local content policy in reality is low financial rates to Nigerians (a major setback) in the oil and gas industry today. the understanding of most firms/vendors on the subject matter is not too nice, they believed this act strengthens them to pay their employees which are Nigerians below minimum rate compared to their foreign counterparts. I think, this should be looked upon with utmost concern.
Please sir am looking for a job, even if it is a cleaning job I will do, although am a graduate. I studied Languages and Linguistic at the university level thanks.
This is a welcome development, I think it will solve a large amount of the unploment challenges. Sir, I am a graduate of business administration and I am looking for job, please, use your good office to help me with any job, Thanks