Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Senate has declared its endorsement of the programmes and processes adopted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.

Ad >>>

Committee on Local Content specifically conveyed the firm assurance of the Senate in providing adequate legislative support to enable the NCDMB realize the full aspirations of the government in the petroleum industry.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, who spoke after an oversight visit on the Board facilities and projects sites within Bayelsa State commended the Board for how it has implemented its enabling statute, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.

He said NCDMB has demonstrated the requisite capacity for actualization of the objectives of the Act, and that the enabling environment for oil and gas industry operations, growth of indigenous businesses, job creation and development of industry-related skills, would be vigorously pursued by the Committee at the National Assembly.    

The Chairman reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu commitment to growing local capacity in the oil and gas and other sectors as a sure way of creating employment.

In his word, “ let me say that the benefits of local content cannot be over emphasize. It will lead to the creation of jobs for our people, development of critical assets and skills , growth of local businesses, improve balance of payments and reduction of dependence on foreign goods services.

“To achieve these benefits, collaborations between the Senate committee and board of the NCDMB is essential as we would work closely with the NCDMB to ensure that the provisions of the Act are implemented effectively.”

“The committee will not only ensure oversight but will also support the board’ in efforts to develop and implement policies that promote local content development, in addition to our collaboration with the board, we will engaged with other stakeholders and create the enabling environment that foster growth for local businesses and promote job creation.” Onowakpo concldued.

Earlier in his presentation on NCDMB Activities, the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe provided critically important facts on the NOGICD Act; pointing at the Nigerian Content Implementation Framework, NCDMB Organisation Structure, NCDMB Office Locations, Expenditure and Revenue Analysis, Business Enabler Footprint, Summary of Investments, Success Stories, Look Ahead – Retooling for Stability and Growth, and Support Required. 

Speaking on the Nigerian Content Implementation Framework, he highlighted Guidelines and Regulations, drawing attention to policies and tools, which included Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualifications System (NOGIC JQS), Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), industry collaboration, as well as gap analysis, among other things.

Engr Ogbe who was represented by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, disclosed the Board has recorded success in the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI) with over ninety percent repayment.

Alhaji Halilu highlighted some recent striking accomplishments of the Board, including facilitation of 10,000 metric tonnes (MT) capacity galvanizing plant commissioned at Daewoo Yard, Port Harcourt. He noted that the plant has already ramped up local galvanizing capacity to over 180,000MT.

He also pointed at the NEDOGAS 300MMscfd Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) Plant in Delta State; NCDMB Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) located at Emeyal 1 in Bayelsa State, and Odukpani in Cross River State. The industrial parks, according to him, are currently at 90 per cent completion.

The NCDMB also briefed the visiting senators on its 10 mega watt Power Plant, and EGINA floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) integration facility which it described as the first and largest of its kind in Africa.        

Speaking on the next phase, Halilu highlighted the ongoing construction of the NCDMB Gas Hub for gas-based industries, work on its eight industrial parks across the country, and the human capacity development programme for industry host communities themed Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative.

Alhaji Halilu appealed to the legislators help the NCDMB by excluding the Nigerian Content Development Fund from revenue deductions in line with Section 104 of the NOGICD Act.

He called on the senators to assist the industry address the prevailing infrastructure gaps, and to also strengthen local content laws. He stressed the need for legislations that ensure full implementation of the local content policy across the full sectors of the Nigerian economy.

In his remarks,  the Committee Vice Chairman, Senator Ede Dafinone, assured that the National Assembly would collaborate with the NCDMB to enthrone a resilient and Nigerian-driven oil and gas industry.

 “They have shared with us areas where the Senate can help expand and strengthen their programmes. We are ready to engage further and support the Board in building a more robust and Nigerianised oil and gas industry,” he stated. Other members of the Senate Committee on the oversight visit were Senators Osita Izunaso, Ipalibo Gogo Banigo, Ireti Heebah Kingibe, Aniekan Bassey, Eze Kenneth Emeka, Ezra Okechukwu, Isa Shu’aibu Lau, Tony Nwoye, John Williams Eno, Amos Yohana, and Ezra Okehukwu.