From Uche Usim, Abuja
The Federal Government has been urged to float a national security fund into which International Oil Companies (IOCs) and local firms can pay a percentage of their profits to tackle the menace of insecurity in the country.
This suggestion was made by the Chief Executive Officer, Lee Engineering and Construction Limited, Dr Leemon Ikpea, in Abuja at the weekend while fielding questions from journalists in an interactive session to celebrate the 31st anniversary of his firm.
He said no sustainable development could take place in an atmosphere of chaos, stressing the need for a conductive operating environment to boast investment growth.
He further urged the government and relevant stakeholders to make it mandatory for International Oil Companies (IOCs) to patronise local firms, arguing that expatriates are not more competent and experienced than Nigerian technicians and engineers.
He maintained that dominance of expatriates in the oil and gas space was robbing Nigeria of the fortunes that should come to it.
He lauded the Federal Government and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the renewed attention to boost local production of equipment used in the oil industry.
According to him, Nigerians now occupy major positions in the oil and gas industry, stating that the multi-million dollar fabrication factory under construction by the firm will be ready sometime next year.