Reps call for development of manpower in oil & gas sector

• Unhappy over hiring of foreigners to construct refineries

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Tuesday stressed the need to prioritise the development of manpower in the oil and gas industry, shore up gross domestic product (GDP), and address capital flight challenges.
Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Training Fund), Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, who gave the charge during the inaugural meeting of the Standing Committee, underscored the need for constant training of Nigerians in the sector.
The lawmakers noted that training is a very key aspect of the oil industry and, if gotten right, would improve the sector and have a positive ripple effect on other areas of the economy.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, said the Committee was committed to repositioning the manpower development drive, economic growth and diversification, fostering social development, and ensuring the global competitiveness of the country.
He said, “This committee is one of the important committees of the House. Our task is enormous. Our appointment to this committee is a demonstration of the seriousness the House leadership attaches to this committee.”
He said their mandate, as outlined in the standing orders of the House, is a testament to the committee’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future.
“To achieve these goals, I am pleased to present our committee’s comprehensive work plan for the tenure ahead. This plan is designed to guide our efforts, focusing on the key areas that will enable us to fulfil our mandate effectively.
In his remarks, Hon. Amobi Ogah, who expressed regret that not much had been done in training local players to boost the sector, stressed the need for the Standing Committee to address the challenge.
“The mandate is meant for the training of capacity in the areas of oil and gas, but today. We cannot say that the agency has done much to train our people locally.
“Today we are still hiring foreigners to either rebuild or maintain our refineries, and one of the major reasons for setting out this agency is to develop our people, capacity, and ability to make sure that we move from overdependence from the foreigners in oil and gas to local level.
“But till now, with the mandate they have, they have not even gotten 10 per cent of it. This 10th Assembly would go a little far to see if they are doing as their mandate demands.
“We have been talking about local content. Local content does not only mean contracts; it also applies to staff training, especially as it has to do with technological training.
“We discover that most of the expatriates in the oil and gas sector are coming from overseas. And I feel that if we can ensure that our indigenous staff in the sector are trained, it would reduce capital flight in this country,” Hon. Ogah noted.