Gov Emmanuel Advocates Patronage Of Local Content To Curb Restiveness, Unemployment, Economic Growth, Others

By evangelist.com.ng, December 8,2022.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has advocated increased patronage of local content in the oil and gas sector for opening up of job opportunities, increased revenue and checkmating of restiveness especially in the oil bearing communities.

Governor Emmanuel made the advocacy, Wednesday , at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, during a gala night organized in honour of the members of Nigerian Content Development And Monitoring Board (NCDMB), currently in the state for the 11th Practical Nigerian Content Forum (PNC).

Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the governor maintained that such patronage will strengthen the local economy and enhance the revenue profile of the country.

He acknowledged the contributions of NCDMB to the economic growth of the country , describing as apt the theme of the forum “Deepening Nigerian Content Opportunities in the Decade of Gas” and emphasized that part of their recommendations should include ways of stimulating the economy by patronizing local contents.

Governor Emmanuel further stated that the country stands to benefit more when local content is used since products will become valuable and attract international patronage against the capital flight being experienced due to the prevailing depletion in the currency.

“You are to be commended as members of this industry and we hope that you stimulate, amplify, encourage and patronize Nigerian content, when we do that, we create jobs, stimulate the economy, encourage young people, take them off the street and they are happy it will mark the onset of patriotism.

“As Nigerians, our duty is to do what we can to strengthen the naira because we import a lot, transfer or shift goods and services outside and weaken the naira, the more we import, the more we weaken the naira. The more we produce locally and export the more we strengthen the naira”, he explained.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB),Engr. Simbi Wabote, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for hosting the 11th Practical Nigerian Content Forum (PNC) and commended the governor for the economic value added to the state especially Ibom Air, and urged the state to use Ibom Air as a catalyst for rapid development.

” My advice to Akwa Ibomites is that you should use your airline as a catalyst to change the development narrative of the State”.

At the well attended event, guests had sizzling moment as they were treated to Akwa Ibom delicacies, dances and comedy sketches.