AfricaPress-Tanzania: OIL and gas stakeholders in Zanzibar have called on the government to come up with the law on local content, which will stimulate greater engagement of Zanzibaris in the lucrative oil and gas sector.
Speaking during the stakeholders meeting held in Zanzibar early this week, the chairman of the Association of Tanzania Oil and Gas Service Providers (ATOGS) Abdulsamad Abdulrahim said by having the laws, will guarantee more locals to participate in various strategic projects and thus enhance their incomes.
The meeting was aimed to discuss the process towards establishing an association of the Zanzibar’s Association of Oil and Gas Providers (ZAOGS) which will be responsible for policy advocacy for the promotion of local content in the development of the oil and gas industry, and creating a trusted and credible network of providers to facilitate local and international partnerships.
Abdulsamad said that the association aims to bring together Zanzibaris, encourage them seek to provide services in the lucrative oil and gas sector.
He also urged legislators to also get prepared to approve laws that ensure the oil and gas’ wealth benefits all citizens in the Islands of Zanzibar.
He said that late last year, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi wanted the oil and gas service providers to form an association which would enable them to engage more in the sector and thus produce employment opportunities to benefit the locals.
Abdulsamad expressed ATOGS and the expected ZAOGS keenness to collaborate with the government and other private sector players in Zanzibar and Tanzania at large in order to fast-track the country’s economic growth through the oil and gas sector in particular.
He said it is imperative that Zanzibar under its newly launched 2020-2050 Blue Economy version benefits from the emerging sector. So the establishment of the association will contribute much to the economy and improvement of people’s livelihoods.
He also wanted companies working in the oil and gas sector to seek services from locals instead of importing them from outside Tanzania.
Arafa Salim Rashid, a lawyer from Zanzibar Petroleum (Upstream) Regulatory Authority (ZPRA) said that the government will continue reviewing and amending various laws to govern the oil and gas sector so as to enable investors and stakeholders conduct their activities smoothly.
She urged Zanzibar’s to grab opportunities available in the sector to improve their lives and contribute to the country’s economy.
