By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, has reaffirmed the Senate’s strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” policy, aimed at empowering Nigerian workers, creating jobs, and localizing economic benefits across the oil, gas, and industrial sectors.
Speaking at the 14th Annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Senator Joel-Onowakpo described this year’s theme“Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content, and Scaling Energy Production” as timely and critical for national development.
He emphasized that Nigerians must be active participants, not bystanders, in the economy, stressing that the Committee will ensure compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, Executive Order No. 5, and the Nigeria First Policy.
“At the heart of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is the welfare of Nigerians,” the Senator said, noting that the Committee’s mandate includes fostering business growth, job creation, and developing critical skills.
He praised the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for its role in advancing local content, describing the PNC Forum as “the central marketplace for ideas, collaboration, and accountability in the local content ecosystem.”
The Senator lamented that despite over 65 years of oil exploration and more than a decade since the NOGICD Act’s enactment, gaps remain in local content development, especially in Human Capital Development (HCD).
He warned that the law requires 1%–3% of oil and gas project values above $1 million to be invested in Nigerian capacity-building, emphasizing that this provision is binding, not aspirational.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo criticized instances where expatriates occupy positions meant for Nigerians and cited Sahara Group’s failure to remit 1% for Human Capital Development as a breach of law.
He stressed that the Committee is focused on more than employment numbers, highlighting the importance of worker welfare, safety, and long-term career growth. Sections 35–39 of the NOGICD Act mandate operators to invest in training, research, and human capital.
The Senator revealed that the Committee has written to oil companies and the NCDMB to demand full compliance and disclosure, warning that investigative hearings will follow if gaps or violations are identified.
He added that collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress is ongoing to hold companies accountable for undermining local content laws and ensuring Nigerians benefit from employment and training opportunities.
Concluding, Senator Joel-Onowakpo assured that oversight work is ongoing and that the Committee will continue to enforce laws ensuring Nigerian workers fully benefit from local content policies.