House Lauds Total E&P’s Commitment to Nigerian Local Content

Sunday Okobi
The House of Representatives Committees on Local Content and Gas Resources have lauded Total Exploration and Production (E and P) Nigeria’s level of compliance with the Nigerian Local Content policy. Both committees also described the oil firm’s commitment to boosting oil production in the country as commendable.

The Chairman, House Committee on Local Content, Emmanuel Ekon, who expressed delight over the progress made by Total, when the committee members toured the Egina FPSO, in Apapa recently, said even though the oil firm has more to do, it has shown commitment to Nigeria’s local content policy.

Egina, is one of the deepest oil fields operated by Total with water depths ranging from 1,400 to 1,700 metres, was discovered by Total Upstream Nigerian Limited in 2003 within the Oil Mining Licence (OML) 130, some 200 kilometres south of Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

In his remark, Ekon stated that “this is the pride of Nigerian Local Content policy. What we saw here today means Local Content is working. I am here with my colleagues to see what Total has done. I have been part of this project, even though I met the project half way, but I have followed this project.”

He added: “I saw the FPSO before it got here. I am sure that my colleagues are very proud of what Total has done especially those from the Local Content Committee and I want to commend the Total Nigerian team. I want to say that we didn’t come here for investigative visit we came to add our voices and commend you for your commitment as well as urge you to do more. We call all other multi-nationals in this country to emulate what Total has done. They have kept faith with the Nigeria project and the Local Content regime.”

The House Committee Chairman noted that this was the first time in Africa FPSO integration was going to be done in Nigeria, adding that the achievement is a quantum leap for the Local Content regime. “The Egina FPSO is now anchored here in LADOL yard and integration is ongoing. Therefore, it is very impressive and I want to call on other IOCs operating in Nigeria to emulate what Total has done. This is the first project after Egina was signed.”