The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has recorded a 54 per cent local content level in 2022, half way into its 10-year road map for indigenous participation and use of local assets in the oil and has sector.
A status report at the 11th Practical Nigerian Content Workshop organised by the Board and DMG Nigeria Events at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote explained that the average of Nigerian Content performance in the last five years is 44 per cent which represents the period the 10-year Nigerian Content Strategic Roadmap has been implemented so far.
He indicated that the performance in 2022 above is well above the 42 percentage target set by the Project Management Office (PMO), just like in 2021 when 42 per cent was achieved, above the target of 38 per cent.
He confirmed that the tracking of the performance is based on the Board’s monitoring and evaluation of Industry activities.
Strikingly, the technical capability development pillar of the Road Map stands out as a major highlight as fabrication and construction, hitherto under near-total dominance by foreign firms, had 99 per cent Nigerian content during the period under review.
He further disclosed that 77 out of 96 initiatives under the short- and medium-term categories of the Road Map had been completed in November 2022.
He stated that manpower in the oil and gas industry had reached 81 per cent Nigerian content as of November, while project management as of that month was 80 per cent.
Wabote expressed the Board’s displeasure at the activities of indigenous oil and gas companies, which seek to undermine its effectiveness after they had benefitted from strategic interventions in funding and capacity building programmes of the organisation. He advised them to turn a new leaf and ensure compliance with regulations or face the consequences.
In his own remarks the NNPC boss assured the nation that the effort to deepen the utilisation of gas to drive industrialisation and economic development was very much on course.
While emphasising Nigeria’s interest in gas as energy transition fuel, he stated that “Gas provides the opportunity to power the global economy.”
