By our reporter
The passage of the bill was sequel to a motion by the Majority Leader of the house, Hon Tim Owhefere and adopted after consideration of report of the Hon Ebipade Pullah led Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, during Wednesday’s plenary of the house, which was presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori.
The house had earlier dissolved into a committee of ‘Whole’ to consider the report as presented by Hon Pullah.
At the Committee of the House – with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as Chairman; the bill was examined clause by clause and read for the third time before passage.
Reacting to the development, the Rt Hon Oborevwori said, the bill when eventually assented to by the Governor, will mandate companies operating in the state to, as a matter of necessity, maintain at least; 70% local content in their workforce.
Rt Hon Oborevwori thanked members for their patience throughout the consideration of the bill and most importantly for their diligence in ensuring they had a successful committee.
He also commended the lawmakers for what he described as their unalloyed commitment, dedication and display of wisdom in their submissions during debates on the bill.
The Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, Hon Ebipade Pullah, described the passage of the bill as timely and a welcome development in the state.
While commending the bill, Hon Pullah who represents Burutu 2 Constituency in the house; noted that the proposed law will not only enhance employment generation, but will reduce to the minimum, agitations by host communities.
The Lawmaker further stated that the aspect of technology transfer in the new law was very commendable as it provided opportunity for education of the people which would boost their level of competence.
Hon Pullah emphasized that the proposed law will certainly improve the socio economic lives of Deltans, stressing, “the signing of the State Local Content Bill by the Governor, will usher in a new dawn in Delta State”.
The Lawmaker disclosed that a public hearing had earlier been held on the bill to get the inputs of the public, saying that the presentations and submitted memoranda by stakeholders were very helpful in the making of the new law.