Project 100, a boost to local content devt – stakeholders

By Sebastine Obasi
STAKEHOLDERS in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry appear to have welcomed “project 100”, a concept initiated by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to financially assist competent Nigerian companies in the execution of projects, hitherto handled by foreign companies.

Speaking at Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, Kachikwu explained, “On project 100, conceptually, we need to develop the concept, develop the parameters around it and put in place the team to work on it. I will say in the next 90 days, we will come out with a position on the project and hopefully, get Nigerians that will be on the project out for training.”

Expressing support for the project, Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA, Umana Okon Umana, said it will go a long way in supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs in the oil and gas industry, who show potentials.

“I think it is a welcome development and it fits into the federal government’s plan of building local capacity.
It is a way to support Nigerian entrepreneurs in the oil and gas industry who show potentials and who can become big players. I think that is the essence and it is welcome.”

“The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, of course, is collaborating with other agencies like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB to ensure that we all work in harmony to deliver on our various mandates in the best interest of Nigeria,” he added.
Also speaking, Chairman, Oilserv Limited, an oil and gas pipeline and facilities company, Emeka Okwuosa, said that project 100 will guarantee jobs for indigenous companies, in place of brief case contractors.

According to him, “Project 100 as mentioned by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources is a very good idea because some of us have been saying this in different ways. Some of us that have built capacity all the years have to be sure that it will be utilized. If I have capacity based on $100million lying there and maintaining these equipments, I’m employing people.

“There has to be a process of guaranteeing jobs for companies that have invested. It is not only Oilserv, there are quite a few other companies who have invested and taking the risks. It is important that going forward, there would be guaranteed jobs, instead of trying to give contracts or opportunity to briefcase contractors. Project 100 concept will help address that because they will look at few companies with capacity and help them raise fund for business and this will enable us employ more people. But don’t forget, as we get the details, we know how to move into them.”

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