The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has urged Nigerians to support the local content policy of the Federal Government by patronising locally made products, which it says will enhance domestic industrialisation especially in the gas sector.

The DPR made the demand on Friday during their periodic facility audit and inspection of activities of gas sector stakeholders in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

The South-east Head of Gas sector of the DPR, Mr Albert Echibe, pointed out that part of the statutory function of the DPR was the promotion of local content policy in the oil and gas industry as well as the re-certification of the integrity of equipment and facilities used in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas industry.

In Imo State, the DPR is currently inspecting the activities of petroleum marketers, with an audit of facilities and equipment used in the gas sector, with the team visiting some steel fabrication workshop where gas vessels are manufactured and also an ongoing gas plant construction site in Owerri.

The Team leader, Mr Echibe, said that the DPR would not fail to sanction any person or company that did not meet the required standard given by the DPR in the production and usage of major facilities and equipment in the gas sector.

He stressed that in the oil and gas industry, there were issues of increased cost of importation of facilities and equipment which in turn had ripple effect on consumers, but gave the assurance that if chances were given to local content production and patronage, all the issues would be resolved, saving foreign exchange.

The Department of Petroleum Resources in the state has emphasised its committed to their statutory functions and responsibility of ensuring compliance to petroleum laws, regulations and guidelines in the Oil and Gas Industry especially as it involves monitoring of operations at drilling sites, production wells and platforms, flow-stations, refineries, storage depots, pump stations, retail outlets and natural gas and petroleum products. (Channels TV)

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