Ughelli – In its drive to ensure that oil companies operating in the state adhere to the Local Content Law, the Delta State House of Assembly has passed the Local Content Agency Bill.
The bill, if assented to, will mandate companies operating in the state to maintain at least 70 per cent local content in their workforce.
The passage of the bill was sequel to a motion moved by the Majority leader, Honourable Tim Owhefere and adopted, after the consideration of report of Hon. Ebipade Pullah led Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, during plenary of the House.
Reacting to the development, the Speaker said the bill when eventually assented to by the State Governor, will mandate companies operating in the state to, as a matter of necessity, maintain at least 70 per cent local content in their workforce.
Oborevwori thanked members for their patience throughout the consideration of the Bill and most importantly for their diligence in ensuring they had a successful Committee of the Whole.
in his reaction, the Chairman House Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, Hon Ebipade Pullah, described the passage of the Bill as timely and a welcome development in the state.
While commending the initiative of the drafting of the bill, Hon Pullah who represents Burutu 2 Constituency in the House, noted that the proposed law will not only enhance employment generation, but will reduce to the barest minimum agitations by Host Communities.
The Lawmaker stated that the aspect of technology transfer in the new law was very commendable as it provided opportunity for the people to be educated which would automatically boost their level of competence.
Hon Pullah emphasized that the proposed law will certainly improve the socio economic lives of Deltans, stressing “the signing of the State Local Content Bill by the Governor, will usher in a new dawn in Delta State”.
The Lawmaker disclosed that a public hearing had earlier been held on the bill to get the inputs of the public, saying that the presentations and submitted memoranda by stakeholders were very helpful in the making of the new law.