The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has said it is committed to assisting indigenous contractors have access to benefits of the Nigerian Content (NC) in its operations.

The company noted that indigenous contactors faced challenges in accessing the benefits of Nigerian Content in its operations but said the Act has a lot of opportunities for job creation in the country.

Speaking  at a two-day Vendor Awareness and Sensitisation Engagement for NAOC/ Nigerian Agip Exploration/Agip Energy and Natural Resources Contractors organised by NAOC in Port Harcourt, the Vice Chairman/Managing Director of the company, Mr. Massimo Insulla, lamented that lack of awareness and knowledge sometimes stop companies from scaling through the NC to qualify for contract awards

Insulla, represented by the General Manager, District of NAOC, Mr. Paolo Carnevale, said, “in 2013 alone at least 160 companies failed to qualify for contract awards due to NC-related issues even when most of them were technically qualified for the job.”

To promote local content according to Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) act, the NAOC boss advised companies “to move from bidding to in-country domiciliation and manufacturing of goods and services utilised in the oil and gas industry.”

According to him, “since the main activities of the industry are performed by contractors (not operators), there is a need for opportunities awareness to be disseminated to our contractors,” adding that there was need for Nigerian companies to work in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMS) for technology and skills transfer.

He also said his company initiated the vendor awareness and sensitisation programme to enlighten Nigerian contractors on the NOGICD act and the opportunities it has created for them.

Urging participants to make good use of the two-day event, he also disclosed that within the next few months, NAOC would be executing programmes such as; Vendor Gap Closure Opportunities Engagement; Research and Development; Capacity Development Initiative as well as contributing to the various local content initiatives carried out through their joint venture partners like Shell Nigeria Exploration Company Ltd.

In an interview with reporters during the event, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Local Content, Hon. Asita.O.Asita, expressed regret that Nigerian companies were not doing well yet as far as NOGICD act was concerned because they could not provide what the law requires.

Source: Codewit