At the 2024 Practical Nigerian Content Forum held from December 2nd to 5th in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Engr. Chuka Eze, Managing Director of Frazimex Engineering Limited, represented Engr. Dr. Emeka Okwuosa, CON, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Group.

On December 4th, Engr. Eze participated in a panel discussion titled “Nigerian Content from Grassroots: Community Capacity Development.” During his presentation, he emphasized Oilserv Group’s alignment with the topic, showcasing its commitment to national gas infrastructure projects such as the AKK gas pipeline project, OB3 gas pipeline project, and the NNPC/SPDC Assa North gas pipeline and facilities.

Engr. Chuka outlined five key areas where communities can be meaningfully developed, highlighting Oilserv’s remarkable contributions. With direct engagement in over 160 communities across Nigeria and the provision of employment opportunities for approximately 2,000 community members, Oilserv has significantly impacted grassroots development through its innovative and inclusive local content initiatives:

Technical Development – Oilserv actively promotes specialized skill development, such as automatic welding, by engaging and training individuals through its infrastructure projects. In the area of Educational Development, Engr. Chuka maintained that the company has awarded full scholarships to approximately 1,500 students and constructed a 600-seater school equipped with modern learning tools and devices, fostering long-term educational growth.

For Economic Development, Oilserv has empowered local communities by awarding contracts to community-based vendors for procurement and services. To date, over 100 subcontracts have been issued across various projects, boosting economic activities within these regions. In terms of Technology and Innovation, In partnership with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Oilserv is advancing research in nanotechnology, which holds significant potential for the energy industry and lithium battery technology. This collaboration enables the country to harness its natural resources for technological advancements.

To further amplify these efforts, Engr. Chuka Eze added that the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF) complements Oilserv’s initiatives with numerous life-changing programs. Over 150,000 individuals have benefitted from free medical missions, clean water projects, education scholarships, and youth empowerment initiatives such as medium-scale business startups, etc. The Foundation also provides disaster assistance programs aimed at mitigating risks and enhancing community resilience during emergencies.

On advancing Nigeria’s Local Content Strategy, Engr. Chuka shared that Oilserv is fostering growth and empowering host communities. He views that the new frontier in Community capacity development is to extend development beyond Oil/Gas/Energy industry to other industries especially in the Health sector as advocated by the Nigerian Senate Chairman on Local Content. In addition, emphasis and attention is to be given to technology and innovation.

He reiterated that project opportunities should be given to Nigerian contractors and communities with deliberate commitment to integrate them, support and guide them to grow in similar way SPDC give Oilserv the 1st opportunity subsequently supported by NCDMB, NNPC, Oando, NLNG etc to grow to a point of successfully delivering major Nigerian gas projects.

As part of its sustainable development philosophy, Oilserv is also developing disaster preparedness programs to ensure rapid response to emergencies, underscoring the company’s dedication to resilience and community well-being. Through these transformative local content initiatives, Oilserv Group continues to play a pivotal role in empowering communities, driving sustainable development, and contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth, he concluded.