Yenagoa: The Senate Committee on Local Content has praised President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for their ongoing initiatives to enhance local participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Senators Joel Thomas and Ede Dafinone, serving as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee, expressed their commendation following a two-day oversight visit to the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Thomas emphasized that the NCDMB has shown the necessary capability to achieve the goals outlined in the legislation that established it. He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s dedication to increasing local capacity in the oil and gas industry, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Dafinone also conveyed satisfaction with the board’s advancement, highlighting the committee’s approval of both the infrastructure and the extensive range of capacity-building programs benefiting Nigerians.
Dafinone remarked, “This is the first oversight visit of the 10th Senate to the NCDMB, we had time with the Executive Secretary and his team to understand what they do and the results we’re seeing for Nigerians. I have to say we are impressed, the industrial park is nearly finished and already being occupied.” He further noted that the board’s initiatives extend beyond physical structures, encompassing training and human capacity development programs essential for both the sector and national progress.
He pointed out the board’s self-assessment report, which indicates that 56 percent of the workforce in the oil and gas sector now consists of Nigerians, marking a significant achievement in local content development. Dafinone emphasized the importance of equitable distribution of oil and gas benefits across regions, particularly advocating for the Delta Central region, a part of the oil-producing Niger Delta, to receive substantial infrastructure, skills training centers, and economic opportunities.
Dafinone also requested an update on the construction of the NCDMB Industrial Park located in Orogun. During their visit, the Committee engaged with NCDMB leadership to discuss local content development in the oil and gas industry. They participated in technical meetings to verify the NCDMB’s adherence to the true intent of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. Additionally, they toured key NCDMB projects, including the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPs), NCDMB Gas Hub, Conference Hotel building project, and NCDMB Cr¨che.
