Local Content Bill: Ighrakpata Commends Okowa, Describes Proposed Law As Laudable

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Solomon Ighrakpata has said that the proposed Delta State Local Content Agency law will go a long way to creating jobs and wealth for Deltans.

Speaking with Assembly Correspondents immediately after the bill was read for the second time on the floor of the State House of Assembly, Hon Ighrakpata who represents Uvwie Constituency in the house, said the proposed law was in consonance with the Local Content Act of the federal government.

The Lawmaker stated that there was the need to domesticate the Local Content Act as passed by the National Assembly and commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for sending the executive bill to the State House of Assembly for legislative actions.

He noted that the primary objective is to create an agency that will stand on behalf of the state government to ensure that the Local Content Act is operated within Delta State.

Hon Ighrakpata explained further that the agency would ensure that the provisions in the Act benefit the people of the state, especially as it affects oil and gas producing areas and impacted communities across the state.

The Lawmaker who is the Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, stressed that the clauses in the proposed law would make it compulsory for fifty percent indigenous participation in the areas of workforce and contract awards.

Hon Ighrakpata described the bill as laudable and expressed optimism that the establishment of the Local Content Agency in the state would push companies and contractors operating in the state to engage its workers from within the state.

He said the development will no doubt increase indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry amongst others.

Hon Ighrakpata pointed out that the robust debate on the merits of the bill during its second reading on the floor of the House, shown how key the proposed law is to the government and people of Delta State.

He said the state needed all the enabling laws to compel companies to contribute to the development of the state at all times.