Nigeria needs to develop indigenous technology - Agip MD

Oil giant, the Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, has highlighted the need to develop indigenous technology to drive the oil and gas industry to boost local content.

As part of measures to achieve the objective, the company said it is partnering with about 120 indigenous Technology companies in the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State to showcase “their capacities and capabilities development”.

The Vice Chairman / Managing Director of the company, Massimo Insulla, who made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the company’s Indigenous Technology Forum and Exhibition for its Deep Offshore indigenous contractors, held at the New Concorde Hotels, Owerri, the Imo State capital, Thursday, disclosed that the company recently organized training programme for 90 contractors in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, with another training for 60 in the same category on Succession Planning in Asaba, Delta State,

He said that about 360 had been trained by the firm under its Vendors Development Programme, and 250, under the Vendors Upgrade Awareness, and 120, in Vendors Exhibition, Gas Closure and Opportunities Engagement. and provision of electricity to the Oguta Oil and Gas Park.

Insulla, added that the company would continue to partner with the host communities, adding that it would diversify into other areas of capacity building development in the Small and Medium businesses and community content.

The Managing Director said apart from pioneering the JV Independent Power Project (IPP), and construction of the Power Plant in Opkai and delivery of 480 MVA, into national grid to stimulate economy and create jobs, the company would continue to play a leading role in the provision of water, health facilities, education, sociasl infrastructure, employment , capacity building, skills acquisition, micro credits and green river projects, among others.

In his speech, the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Udo Agoha, said he was aware that the company was one of the oil firms operating in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Council Areas of the State , noting that the relationship between the company and the host communities have been cordial.

He appealed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between them should “eliminate staggering implementation” to avoid acrimony.

Source: The Nation