The days when jobs that could be executed by Nigerians were taken out of the country are over. We will encourage Nigerians by giving them opportunities and ensuring that their investments are supported.” These were words of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote during a facility visit to Lee Engineering in Warri Delta State on Thursday.
The Executive Secretary noted that Nigerians had made lots investments since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, adding that such investments have to be supported.
According to him, ‘The Board will ensure that first consideration shall be given to Nigerians in award of contracts. More Nigerians will begin to reap the gains of Nigerian Content.’
Wabote expressed delight that despite the downturn in the oil and gas industry, which has forced many companies to shut down, Lee Engineering kept faith and retained about 900 employees on its payroll. He stated further that Lee Engineering demonstrated professionalism in a sphere that used to be dominated by multinationals.
In his comments, Chairman, Lee Engineering, Dr. Leemon Ikpea thanked the Board for the steadfast implementation of the Nigerian Content Act despite initial resistance from some stakeholders. He promised to train more Nigerians on the back of its new factory so as to export jobs and capacities to other countries.
While thanking the Federal Government for enacting the Nigerian Content Act, Ikpea stated that the law had further given his company the impetus to execute major projects.
