By JANETH MESOMAPYA

The Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) recently met with stakeholders from the oil and gas sector to discuss the best way to increase retention of locals in the respective sector.

During the meeting that took place in Dar es Salaam, the PURA’s Acting Director General Engineer Charles Sangweni said along other responsibilities, the Authority is mandated to promote local content in the petroleum upstream industry.

He explained that the goal is to ensure Tanzanian service providers and suppliers participate entirely in the oil and gas sector through selling their local products, services and obtaining employment opportunities.

He added that to accomplish the goal, both the Authority and stakeholders must work hand in hand in ensuring compliance to local content regulation and guidelines.

For his part the Head of Local Content and Stakeholders Engagement Unit Mr. Charles Nyangi said the main agenda of the meeting was to draft criteria and requirements that will facilitate local suppliers and service providers to sell high quality products and services to meet the market need.

He hinted that meanwhile PURA in collaboration with the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) is preparing a database namely ‘Common Qualification System (CQS)’ that will register all necessary information of local suppliers and service providers who aspire to participate in the upstream operation by selling their products, services and landing job opportunities.

“This database will bridge a gap between local suppliers and service providers and oil companies so as to increase purchase of local goods and services,” he added.

Moreover, stakeholders who attended the meeting urged the Authority to continue creating awareness and empower Tanzanians to utilize opportunities available in the oil and gas sector by increasing the quality of their products and service hence increase local purchase by the IOCs.