by The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Content, Amb. Awatt Caleb Ekpenyong has raised public advocacy for industries in the state to evolve a local content development plan.
Awatt stated that “such a plan should have certification of the local content office to give backing to economic needs of host communities and address issues of conflicts between industries and host communities over resource utilization”.
The Special Adviser who raised the advocacy in Calabar when he visited Niger Mills Nigeria, observed that “while electronic projections are necessary, structural evidences suffices. The Local Content Development Plan will build more confidence and transparency as industries desires to serve local communities”.
The Special Adviser expressed joy at the level of progress recorded by the company explaining that the oversight became necessary to forge relations by the state local content office with the company.
Mr Awatt who made the case for the employment of indigene of the state in the company promised to sustain existing relations between the two organizations.
On his part, the legal Adviser, Local Content Monitoring Regulatory and Enforcement Committee , Barrister Wilson Ajogbor said the state local content office is backed up by the Nigerian Content Development Act and commended Governor Bassey Otu for domesticating local content in the state.
Speaking on the challenges facing implementation of local content in the state , Engineer Elvis Ntui called for employment of indigene of the state in skill , unskilled and managerial positions in industries in the state.
Responding , the General Manager of Niger Mills Nigeria , Mr. Gregory Ehhemiken said the industry has successfully justified it’s corporate social responsibility over time to catchment communities.
He thanked the committee for the visit and promised to work in close relationship with government through the office of the special Adviser on Local Content.
Niger Mills PLC has pledged it’s willingness to cooperate with the state government in actualizing local content core values.
Speaking in Calabar when he received in audience the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Content, Amb . Awatt Caleb Ekpenyong and the 13 man Local Content Monitoring Regulatory and Enforcement Committee paid a working visit to the company, the GM expressed satisfaction at the urban renewal by the present administration in the state.
“I’m happy over your visit. Niger Mills have a good track of corporate responsibilities to it’s catchment communities and the state . Henceforth , we will align with the local content office in the effort to build more public confidence in our activities. Thank you for the visit”.
