By Dr. Ibilola Amao, Principal Consultant, Lonadek Oil and Gas Consultants

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Understanding the dynamics of money with relation to value addition is a major gap that the Nigerian Leadership must close to achieve its Nigerian Content goals. It is needful to take a holistic view of how the Nigerian Local Content Policy must be applied to reduce capital flight and increase FDI.

Imagine that a government or international oil company is concerned about energy security for its country and home market in the year 2035 – 2050 and decides that it would seek for an Oil and Gas province where it can secure its requirement based on an investment now. This Foreign Direct Investment is what should be accrued to Nigeria if it can strategically position itself to secure enough energy for Nigerians and is in a position to articulate what surplus energy it would have on the basis of its projected national growth by 2050. Does Nigeria have a national population growth estimate for 2035 and beyond? Does data exist on its projected energy utilisation for the period 2035 – 2050?

Foremost in the minds of any leadership must be a Vision, Mission, Goal, Objective, Plans and Strategies for achieving any pronouncements made if a country is to be taken very seriously. Whilst the 2010 failures are yet to be addressed, patriotic Nigerians must work towards a 2035 and beyond plan. If there are no sanctions, penalties and consequences for deviating from or breech of any laid down plan and law, Nigeria can not attract FDI. Government must equitably commit to ensuring that a conducive environment exists and the necessary infrastructure and requirements are made available to encourage law abiding players (local and international). Nigeria needs to have structures in place to guarantee a healthy return on investment toany investor.

Nigeria must convince investors that it has the mechanism for business to be transacted in a fair, equitable and transparent manner and as such the following glaring gaps must be covered for so many reasons.

1. The disgraceful activities of political cronies and middlemen contractors must be addressed primarily. Nigeria is now known as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
2. The poor Infrastructure and deteriorating quality of life of the Nigerian must be addressed. At 2000MW power supply per annum for 140 million Nigerians. Nigeria must be the laughing stock of world-class players in the global scheme of business.
3. As a priority, counterpart funding in the area of gas flare-out projects, IPP’s, gas utilisation, domestication and monetisation should be sought and provided.
4. The Petroleum Industry Bill and the Nigerian Local Content Policy must be harmonised within a month. A date must be specified and adhered to.
5. The contracting cycle of 18 - 24 months which can be attributed to the involvement of NAPIMS, The NNPC Board, The Minister and the Federal Executive Council where interests lie should be streamlined to a maximum of 6 weeks to 3 months and based on merit.
6. Contract Award Criteria, Basis for Award, Contract Costs and Breakdown of Activities must be published and made public for accountability purposes.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Nigerian Content Bill (NCB) will end up becoming another 1969 Act, not well implemented if we Nigerians do not rid ourselves of self centeredness, myopic personal goals and adopt national serving Legal, regulatory and institutional structures and mechanisms to drive the actualization of the local content program in a manner that is fair and sustainable to all players.

The vision to transform the oil and gas industry into the economic engine for job creation and national growth by developing in-country capacity and indigenous capabilities whilst being laudable may end up becoming a stumbling block if Nigerians do not work hard to attract FDI into the Nigerian economy. Systems, Structures, Processes and Procedures must be put in place with commensurate sanctions, penalties and consequences for anyone in breech of the best practices of honesty, transparency and integrity in the delivery of quality goods and services.

About the Author

Dr. Ibilola Amao is a Principal Consultant with Lagos-based Lonadek Oil and Gas Consultants, a firm of technical consultants with their core competence in the area of due diligence, human resource capital development, technology transfer, systems implementation and engineering support services. For more nformation or to reach Dr. Amao you can email her at lolaamao@lonadek.com or visit www.lonadek.com.