Local Content: Employment, contracts to Nigerians worth $1bn annually – IOC

Nigeria’s International Oil Company, Chevron said it backs Nigeria’s local content development by employing Nigerians and contracts worth an average estimate of over $1 billion.

Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager of Policy Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria, disclosed this on Tuesday in his speech at a one-day capacity training for Journalists in Abuja.

This follows recent criticisms that IOCs were abusing the expatriate quota system in Nigeria.

Represented by the company’s Manager of Communications, Victor Anyaegbudike, Brikinn stressed that it is committed to advancing human development in Nigeria.

The IOC noted that through investments in gathering and processing of associated gas, routine flaring has been reduced by over 97 percent in the past 10 years of the company’s operations.

According to him, the firm also contributes to the sustainable development of host communities in a significant way.

Consequently, he disclosed that Chevron is currently training about 300 media practitioners in Nigeria to boost reportage within the oil and gas sector.

Brikinn added human capacity training, Brikinn said media practitioners are key stakeholders in the development of the oil and gas sector.

“CNL seeks to make human investments that deliver long-term transformative returns. This is achieved through our Nigerian Content development activities. In Nigeria, Chevron supports Nigerian Content development by employing Nigerians, and contract opportunities in all our projects up to an estimated annual average of over $1 billion”.

Reacting, Osaretin Osadebamwen, Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists, Abuja lauded Chevron for walking the talk in human capacity development for Nigerians.

“This is no doubt an immense contribution to the development of journalists and even the art of Journalism development in Nigeria”, he said.

Recall that the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN criticised International Oil Companies (IOCs) for abusing the expatriate quota system in Nigeria.

Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN disclosed this during the just concluded 2024 PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS) in Abuja.