The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board , Mr. Simbi Wabote has taken a swipe at international oil companies operating in the country, urging them to stop the maltreatment of indigenous firms in the sector.
Reacting to one of the remarks by one of the IOCs that Nigerian firms in the oil industry should form groups to present a stronger front, Wabote noted that beyond that, the oil majors must begin to treat local firms with dignity, explaining that forming consortiums was not a magic wand. “Some of them were providing them vessels for about $20,000 to $25,000 per day. We negotiated down to $12,000 or $15,000 per day and they did that because they wanted to remain in business. Oil price was $27 and at some point it was negative. Now, it’s $110, where is the marching order to renegotiate those contracts with those local operators?
On the issue of piling debts, the NCDMB boss stated that it was unfair for the IOCs to initiate contracts and not pay for upwards of six months, stressing that Nigeria Agip Oil Company remains a major culprit.
The local oil servicing companies are killing their workers all in the name of local content policy. Work like elephant eat like an ant.