Oil giant TotalEnergies EP has announced it has achieved over 94% local content.
The firm’s Executive Director on JV Assets, Mr. Obi Imemba, shared this insight on Wednesday during a panel session on the sub-theme “Next Frontier for Nigerian Content: Divestment and Offshore Opportunities” at the ongoing 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Yenagoa.
The conference is themed “Deepening the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation.”
“We have achieved more than 94 per cent local content in terms of 100 per cent from engineering, installation, construction and installation among others and this was done during the COVID period. We were able to train a lot of welders, fitters, and technicians.
“One thing we are very proud of is our intentionality developing the capacity of our people from our communities. This is very cardinal for us in whatever we do. For every project, we identify people from the communities that we will give all levels of training,” Imemba stated.
Imemba reiterated TotalEnergies’ commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development in the Niger Delta and throughout Nigeria, aiming to enhance the well-being of local communities.
He also emphasized the company’s focus on preserving the region’s biodiversity and nurturing young talent.
He acknowledged that climate change is a global challenge and emphasized that the company ensures its activities are conducted in a way that does not harm the environment.
“There is a growing need for energy, so we will continue producing energy here, but we have to produce this energy sustainably. And when you talk about sustainability, there are many angles to it.
“When we talk about sustainability, some people just talk and think about climate. But the first pillar of sustainability is the people. And that is where capacity building comes up for those people that will be the anchor that will sustainably drive the production.
“For example, there is the knowledge gap we discovered about 25, 30 years ago regarding the people that are ready to work in the industry, whether it is shallow water, onshore or deep offshore. We used to go for recruitment campaigns in the US, Europe and all over the world trying to look for talent.
“But we became intentional in 2003 and established what we call the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Uniport which is a tripartite partnership between IFP School in Paris, Uniport and us (TotalEnergies). This school has been running for 21 years and they have produced more than 700 master’s degree holders.
“So, when they finish, we offer them a one-year internship within TotalEnergies offshore, onshore offices. And after that, there is a possibility of recruitment. A lot of them are recruited within TotalEnergies and outside,” he explained.
