By Chioma Iruke
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Tuesday stated that the focus of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content (NOIGIC) Act is not for “Nigerianization” of the Oil and Gas sector, but for “Domiciliation and Domestication of value-adding activities.”
The ES spoke at the final day of the Two-Day Workshop organized by the Directorate of Legal Services, NCDMB, tagged “Expounding the Local Content Philosophy for the Academia in Understanding the Legal Framework of the Nigerian Content Act” held at the Emerald Energy Institute, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In address, Wabote noted that the workshop is germane, as it will help Scholars who want to research on the impact of Local Content and the NOGIC Act, adding that its impact goes beyond the Oil and Gas sector.
The Presentation outlined the Pre-NOGICD Act Era, Key Provisions of the NOGICD Act and it further provided an overview of the Board’s operations and achievements to date.
Engr. Wabote emphasized that the NCDMB does not award contracts in the Oil and Gas sector, but regulates and ensures capabilities and capacities that exist in-country are fully engaged and utilized.
Barr. Naboth Onyesoh, Manager, Cooperate Communication Division, NCDMB, also delivered a paper presentation titled: The Impact of the NOGIC Act on the Petroleum Industry and the Project Milestones.
The Outline of his presentation dealt extensively on the meaning of Impact, Impact Evaluation and Tools, Frame of Reference (with meaning of impact as footprints), State of Affairs before the NOGIC ACT Road to the NOGIC ACT, Key Features of the NOGIC ACT, Impact of the NOGIC ACT-Highlights and Testimonials
Barr. Naboth also highlighted that the “NOGIC Act is mainly for the purpose of Domiciliation of works and services and Domestication of Technology” noting that it is a special legislation that seeks to address peculiar cases, after which he proposed for a purposeful interpretation of the NOGIC Act by members of the Bar.
Explaining further, he pointed out that the NOGIC ACT has succinct targets. He said Section 1 applies to all Oil and Gas operations, Regulators, Authorities, Operators, and Contractors.
Section 2 of the Act according to him, operates as Management Philosophy, Obligatory Sanction, Demands Intentional and Systematic Action, Exclusivity and Entrenchment Provisions.
He further shared overwhelming testimonials of the NOGIC ACT from industry giants.
“The impact of NOGICD Act is phenomenal since we are presented by such a large throng of witnesses, are there any argument that the NOGIC Act has produced a tremendous positive impact in Nigerian Petroleum Industry?” he asked in conclusion.
