THE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has outlined its achievements and charged media stakeholders and youth groups on social responsibility.
The agency made this known at a workshop organised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services, the Board has recorded significant milestones in the past 15 years.
These include the development of local capacities and capabilities in the oil and gas industry, investment in research and development, and the establishment of world-class Centres of Excellence in six universities across the country.
The Board’s Strategic Partnerships have also yielded industry success stories, including the commissioning of projects such as Waltersmith Refinery, NEDO Gas Gathering Plant, and Better Gas Energy Services Limited LPG Terminal and Gas Distribution Infrastructure.
Dr. Halilu noted that the Board’s efforts have led to significant growth in the service sector, with over 100 indigenous companies expanding their operations to other oil-producing African countries.
He also highlighted the importance of ownership and control of marine vessels and rigs, stating that this has placed many Nigerians in good stead with remarkable successes recorded.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD), Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, commended media practitioners, civil society, and youth groups for their support and urged them to continue to act as gatekeepers, filtering out inaccurate and misleading stories about the Board and promoting stories that would help the national economy.
The workshop was designed to provide insights into the structural organization, internal workings, accomplishments, and operational targets of the NCDMB, as well as acquaint participants with procedures for registration for employment or training programs in industry-related skill sets and engagement as industry contractors or vendors.
The NCDMB’s efforts have had a significant impact on the Nigerian economy by promoting local content development, the agency has helped to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and increase the country’s GDP.
The Board’s investment in research and development has also helped to drive innovation and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
The NCDMB has called on media stakeholders and youth groups to continue to support its efforts to promote local content development in the oil and gas industry.
The agency has urged these groups to act as gatekeepers, filtering out inaccurate and misleading stories about the Board and promoting stories that would help the national economy by working together, the NCDMB and its stakeholders can help to drive economic growth and development in Nigeria.
In his presentation entitled “NCDMB Mandate and Achievements,” Dr. Halilu explained that the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, which established the Board, vested it with two mandates: to develop local capacities and capabilities without compromising standards and to monitor and enforce compliance with the provisions of the Act.
He stated that the Board’s regulations cover training, indigenous capacity, registration of oil and gas professionals, industry technology transfer, research and development, and enforcement and compliance. Everybody in the industry, he revealed, operates within ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) standards.
On milestones attained in the past 15 years, Dr. Halilu and other speakers emphasized the Board’s commitment to promoting local content development in the oil and gas industry.
They highlighted the importance of collaboration and support from stakeholders in achieving the Board’s goals and objectives.
The workshop concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to work together to promote local content development in the oil and gas industry. By working together, the NCDMB and its stakeholders can help to drive economic growth and development in Nigeria.
