By John Ikani
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB), Engr, Simbi Wabote has revealed that vessels ownership in Nigeria is now over 40%.
Wabote made this known on Thursday while delivering his keynote speech during the commissioning ceremony of Chairborne Global Services Ltd’s Vessel “MV MEEDOI” at the Van Oord Jetty West African Dredging Yard, Abuloma, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, “prior to the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development Act in 2010, Vessel Ownership in Nigeria was less than 5%.
“Today, I am very pleased that we have recorded over 40% indigenous ownership of vessels using various initiatives within the provisions of the NAGOCID act.”
While expressing delight that the NCDMB interventions in promoting indigenous vessels ownership has been yielding results, Wabote pointed that “MV MEEDOI” was financed by the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Keystone Bank.
Beyond the support for the acquisition of marine vessels, Wabote revealed that the NCDMB has made significant strides in human capacity development to enhance the availability of competent Nigerians to operate and maintain marine vessels.
“We have facilitated sea time training for marine cadets in international waters to enhance the availability of competent Nigerians to operate and maintain marine vessels.
“We also supported the development and roll-out of curriculum programme courses for marine quantity surveyors in the Niger Delta University to develop this important non-existent skill pool in the country,” he said.
On inter-agency collaboration, Wabote said the Board has “developed a new guideline for marine vessel categorization module and have commenced the issuance of the Nigerian Content Marine Vessel Certificate.
“This is in collaboration with NIMASA and the Nigerian customs services. It is aimed at ensuring that Nigerian owned and Nigerian flagged marine vessels are given requisite consideration in the provision of services to the oil and gas industry as mandated by the NAGOCID act.
Speaking on infrastructure, Wabote said one of the Board’s long term initiatives under the 10-year strategic roadmap is to develop a shipyard in Nigeria.
“We have completed the feasibility studies of the Brass Island Shipyard to confirm the technical and commercial viability of the project. Also, site selection studies, bathymetric and geotechnical surveys have been completed to commence conceptual and detailed design,” he said.
“The shipyard will be implemented in two phases starting with ship repair and maintenance while the second phase will cater for shipbuilding.”
