Cross River Govt calls for accelerated implementation of Nigeria Local Content Act
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Local Content, Ambassador Caleb Awatt has called for accelerated implementation of the Nigeria Local Content Act in Cross River State.
Ambassador Awatt made the call during a one day stakeholders engagement and sensitization seminar themed: “Acceleration Implementation of the Nigeria Local Content Act” held in Càlabar at mini auditorium of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The event facilitated by him dwelt on the mandate of Department of Local Content Development in Cross River State which according to him, is assigned to domesticate the Nigeria Local Content Act in the State by imploring the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem to provide the legal frame-work to drive the initiative which would in-turn enable youths in Cross River State to harness the abundant resources and opportunities therein.
He said: “If we are to turn-things around for good and curb youth unemployment, tactics must be changed to using local resources with indigenous people to disrupt the way businesses are done in the State .
He therefore urged the State House of Assembly to propose a transformative legislation designed to champion the involvement of individual Nigerians and businesses in the oil and gas, manufacturing and construction industries.
The paper presentation by Elder Barrister Wilson .I. Ajogbor, Chairman Local Content Monitoring Regulatory and Enforcement Committee, highlighted the importance of the interface process of sensitization which he said should be understood by all key and critical stakeholders including contractors, sub-contractors and agencies.
This he said would strengthen harmonious and beneficial relationship with the community as well as ensure non-disruption of services. He cautioned all the players to adhere to local content requirements as provided under the Local Content Act 2010 and extant laws to increase local participation in all sectors including oil and gas, manufacturing, construction and agriculture to ensure that a certain percentage of contracts are awarded to indigenous companies in the State. This he reasoned would develop human capacity, skills and encourage the use of local goods and services.
The occasion was attended by emissary of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar and Treaty King, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu the V, Representative from office of the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Ambassador Comrade Gregory Olayi, Speaker of Cross River State Women Parliament, Hon. Fiona Ekpenyong and Hon. Ekong Edet Oqua, Special Assistant on Local content in the office of the Special Adviser to Governor on Special Content among others.
The convener in his closing remark appreciated the State Traditional Rulers Council, Royal fathers and other participants for finding time notwithstanding their busy schedules to attend the occasion and promised to pass the resolution to his principal, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, who is the progenitor of the Local Content Act during his time in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.