The Senate Committee on Local Content has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians derive maximum benefits from the country’s natural resources. This assurance was given during the committee’s inaugural meeting following the recent reshuffling of committee chairmen by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The reshuffle saw Senator Natasha Akpoti appointed to the Committee on Diaspora Affairs, while Senator Ewomazino Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, representing Delta South, was named the new Chairman of the Local Content Committee.
In his address, Senator Joel-Onowakpo emphasized the committee’s mandate to promote the development and utilization of Nigerian content in key industries, including oil and gas, construction, power, railway, and information and communication technology (ICT).
“Our focus is to ensure that Nigerians benefit optimally from the nation’s natural resources by promoting local content across critical sectors. This will not only drive economic growth but also create jobs and opportunities for our citizens,” he stated.
Supporting this stance, Senator Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central, highlighted that the committee’s efforts would extend beyond the oil and gas sector. He noted that the committee would also oversee and facilitate training in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector to enhance local capacity and productivity.
The committee’s renewed focus on local content aligns with the broader goal of fostering self-reliance and reducing dependency on foreign expertise and materials in key industries.
