– NOGaPS to be ready by end of 2025 – Ogbe
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Senate Committee on Local Content has pledged the support of the National Assembly to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, who led members of the committee to NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital on a two-day oversight visit on Thursday and Friday, speaking at the conference hall reiterated the mandate of the committee which is to ensure that Nigerians benefit maximally from oil and gas resources.
According to him, the Nigerian Senate remains committed to ensuring increased participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas sector.
Thomas noted that the Senate would support all initiatives, policies, and programmes that would create an enabling environment for the growth of business, grow the economy, improve living conditions, and drive local content.
Speaking in an interview after visiting the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks
( NOGaPS), Emeyal 1, Ogbia Local Government Area, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ede Dafinone, commended the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe and his team on their efforts to drive local content in Nigeria.
Dafinone disclosed that Ogbe had shared with them areas in which the Senate can help to build a resilient Nigerianised oil and gas sector.
‘’This is the first oversight visit of the 10th Senate to the NCDMB, and we have had time with the Executive Secretary and his team to understand what they do here and the results we are achieving for Nigerians. I have to say that we are impressed. The Executive Secretary and his team have taken us around their projects, especially the Industrial Park, which is nearly finished and is already being occupied. They are also focused on training and capacity-building programmes for Nigerians, which is another vital area. I believe we will see even more from the NCDMB in the future. NCDMB has assessed itself and currently places its Nigerian content achievement at 56% in terms of workforce localisation in the oil and gas sector.’’
Ogbe, in an interview, commended the Senate Committee for their visit and their pledge of support, which would further motivate the NCDMB in its drive for local content.
While noting that NOGaPS is waiting to be powered with electricity, he hinted that the Park is set to open by the end of 2025.
Ogbe, who said 10 applications from companies have already been received on plans to occupy the Park, said only six met the criteria.
He stated that NCDMB is eyeing small and medium scale industries in bolts and nuts, little fabrication, Chemical production, and the making of safety wear to occupy the Park.