The Senate Committee on Local Content has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for ongoing efforts to deepen indigenous participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Senator Joel Thomas and Ede Dafinone, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee respectively, gave the commendation at the end of a two-day oversight visit to the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Senator Thomas stated that the NCDMB had demonstrated the capacity required to achieve the objectives outlined in the Act that established the Board.
He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to building local capacity in the oil and gas sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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In his remarks, Senator Dafinone expressed satisfaction with the Board’s achievements. He noted that the Committee was impressed not only by the physical infrastructure but also by the broad spectrum of capacity-building programmes being implemented for the benefit of Nigerians.
“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 to see the results being delivered to Nigerians.
“I have to say we are impressed. The industrial park is nearly complete and already being occupied.
“But beyond the physical structures, the NCDMB’s work also covers training and human capacity development programmes that are vital to the sector and our national development,” he said.
Senator Dafinone also noted that the Board presented a self-assessment report indicating that 56 per cent of the workforce in the oil and gas sector now comprises Nigerians marking a significant milestone in local content development.
He stressed the need for equitable distribution of oil and gas benefits across all regions. According to him, Delta Central, as part of the oil-producing Niger Delta, deserves substantial infrastructure, skills development centres, and economic opportunities for its people.
He requested an update on the construction of the NCDMB Industrial Park located in Orogun.
During the visit, the Committee held discussions with the NCDMB leadership on local content development in the oil and gas sector. Members also participated in technical meetings to verify the Board’s compliance with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
They also toured key NCDMB projects, including the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), the NCDMB Gas Hub, the Conference Hotel building project, and the NCDMB Crèche.
