OPENING ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DOUYE DIRI, GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE...

  OPENING ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DOUYE DIRI, GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE, AT THE 10TH ANNUAL PRACTICAL NIGERIAN CONTENT FORUM, ON TUESDAY, 30TH NOVEMBER, 2021, NCDMB CONFERENCE CENTRE, NIGERIA CONTENT TOWER, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE

“Local Content Can Lead To Local Contentment” 

1. I am delighted to warmly welcome all participants and guests to our peaceful capital city of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, The Glory of All Lands, for the 10th Annual Practical Nigerian Content Forum. I heartily congratulate all concerned for the initiative. It is gratifying to note, that the leadership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has sustained this iconic event for a decade. I am thankful to you, for the kind courtesy of making the opening address to this august congregation. 

 

2. Let me also observe that, it is apt that this bespoke event, is taking place, right here in the magnificent hall of the NCDMB Conference Centre, within the precincts of the elegant Nigerian Content Tower. I am excited because, this superb structure, designed and constructed by an indigenous architectural firm, definitely amplifies the argument that, with the right opportunities and incentives, there is really no service or product that our indigenous contractors and vendors cannot provide. 

3. In my time at the National Assembly, I came to appreciate deeply, its motivations and objectives. Essentially, local content is about securing direct and indirect opportunities for employment and procurement to homegrown companies, while at the same time, fostering the development of local skills, technology transfer, and use of local manpower and local manufacturing in capital projects. 

Therefore, in making my brief remarks on the appropriately themed: - “Driving Nigerian Content in the New Dawn of the Petroleum Industry Act”, let me state for the record, that I am conscious of the fact that forward thinking businesses engage people and vendors for capacity, rather than charity. To be competitive, local companies need empowered workforce, equipped and able to provide services and value at the highest levels of demand. 

4. In that awareness, Bayelsa State is establishing top quality Vocational, Science and Technical Colleges, in all our local government areas. We will strategically invest heavily in the requisite equipment and staff, in order to produce man power, who can confidently fit into the most demanding roles in the nation’s oil and gas sector. 

If Local Content must lead to local Contentment, we must consider a conundrum that is captured, in a question posed in Psalm 11 and verse 3: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The strength of a building lies in its foundation. The main purpose of the foundation is to hold the structure above it and keep it upright. 

5. The Nigerian Content Law and PIA, are analogous to the foundation and therefore, if the objectives for these Acts will be attained, it is highly essential in discussing the theme for the Forum, to be mindful of some foundational realities; including peace and security, which remain irreducible minimums, to the survival and success of businesses. To ensure peace and security for a conducive business climate to thrive and create a multiplier effect for massive growth in the Niger Delta the essence of local contentment must be vigorously pursued. 

6. Given the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act which has gotten the host communities and by and large the entire Niger Delta and in particular Bayelsa State, unsure of their place in the equitable sharing of their resources, one sure way of evolving a gratified local content equation is for the Board to activate the tenets of its law, in engaging the oil majors appropriately, to have their offices here in Bayelsa, engage the local businesses more and consequently, take a lot of unemployed youths off the streets. This is the essential ingredient of local contentment and the bedrock of Nigerian Content and the PIA.

7. It is the avowed agenda of this administration, to bring Shared Prosperity, to the people of the state. And we know too well, that unrest is not conducive for business and prosperity. That is why throughout my campaign to be Governor, I advocated for a Bayelsa State, that is nonviolent, reconciliatory, accountable, capable of rising and keen to build bridges within, keen to attract businesses across Nigeria and the business world, generally. 

I am happy to say, we have largely, succeeded in doing just that. Long-fractionalized communities are enjoying unprecedented peace. Politics has been subordinated, such that, in our decision making, the corporate good of all Bayelsans, is projected. Our vision remains, to improve the quality of life of every Bayelsan and build a state that we all will be proud of; irrespective of our political affiliations, religion or Local Government Area. Bayelsa belongs to all of us. 

8. While we will continue to seek your support and partnership to provide security across the state, we solicit the esteemed goodwill and understanding of companies operating within our territory. When fundamental decisions that may affect community relations and distort delicate paradigms are being contemplated, please do well to involve relevant government entities, from the onset. Bayelsa State Government appreciates the Oil and Gas sector's current, continuing and future importance to our country. But there should be no doubt about our commitment to secure and protect the environmental sanctity of our communities on dignified terms.

Another area that must fully occupy your thoughts and drive the narrative, is the need to help build the local environment that supports your business. The Nembe/Brass Road is a metaphor for how the indigenes and host communities have been overlooked in the allocation of resources, even when we collectively, stand to gain more from collaborating. We have made written presentations to the federal government and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) on the urgent need to support the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road, which is a federal project and look forward to getting a favourable resolution, soon. 

9. Happily, recently, the Federal Government through the Executive Order known as Executive Order 7 of 2019 on the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme generously indicated it will be constructing a number of roads, in various locations, in the country, given the tremendous value of the Nembe/Brass Road  and its capacity to cut the cost of operations of oil companies significantly and stimulate the economy of Bayelsa State, I appeal to the Federal Government to extend the same kind gesture to us. It will be a huge game changer. This administration on its part, is ready to ensure that the road is constructed at the soonest date. We call on our legislators at the National Assembly, as well as our sons and daughters at the federal level to support this noble move in the interest of the state and country.

10. Too often, homegrown companies are viewed as gatecrashers to an elitist party. This should not be the case. The truth is that we are collaborators and not competitors. The pie is big enough to accommodate all players. 

11. CONCLUSION 

Let me wrap up by underlining and stressing the points that I started with. We need to re-engage and build trust across all fronts. If Local Content must lead to Local Contentment, we must be deliberate in promoting its raison d'être (objectives). Which without polemics, should be about creating the key conditions that will allow Nigerians to acquire sufficient skills and be architects of their own fortunes and those of their communities.  The Bayelsa State government is absolutely committed, to working with all parties and interests to create the conditions desirable to continue to provide the enabling environment for successful operations in the oil and gas sector.

I am persuaded, that if we follow through on my humble suggestions, we will evolve an oil and gas sector, more aligned with the aspirations of our theme:- “Driving Nigerian Content in the New Dawn of the Petroleum Industry Act,” for the edification of my people and the increased profit of the industry.

I wish you fruitful deliberations and look forward to your support and your innovative ideas on how to bring Local Contentment to Local Content. Because we know that if we do that, we will deliver benefits not just here in Bayelsa State, but to the country as a whole, for many more years and decades to come. 

It is my distinct honour and privilege to declare the 10th Annual Practical Nigerian Content Forum, open. Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Senator Douye Diri

Governor, Bayelsa State