By John Ikani
The need for relevant agencies in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to deepen collaboration for enforcement of local content has been emphasised.
The emphasis was made by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote while delivering his keynote address at the Nigerian Content Sensitization Programme for Law Enforcement Agencies.
The workshop held on Tuesday at the Nigerian Content Tower in Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, had in attendance directors and general mangers of the NCDMB, representatives from law enforcement agencies like the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Also present were representatives of the Nigerian Armed Forces, representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as representatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), among others.
Speaking on the significance of the workshop themed – ‘Deploying Multi-Institutional Approach to Nigerian Content Enforcement in the Oil and Gas Industry,’ — Engr. Wabote said it was geared towards “initimating stakeholders with some of the challenges of enforcing compliance with the NOGICD Act 2010 and to engender the spirit of collaboration for integrated approach to the enforcement of Nigerian Content requirements in the oil and gas industry.”
The local content chieftain who noted that the NCDMB recognises the kinetic power of collaboration and the impetus it generates for the attainment of the Board’s mandate, added that local content enforcement is one of the five key pillars of the Board’s roadmap to drive Nigerian Content growth to 70% by 2027.
He went on to explain that collaboration and stakeholders engagement are also rooted in the Board’s 10-year strategic roadmap as one of the four enablers to support the attainment of 70% local content growth target by 2020.
“These are succinct evidence that the Board understands the importance of collaborating with relevant stakeholders like sister agencies here in the room and the various law enforcement agencies particularly those invited here as key partners to drive and accelerate compliance and enforcement of Nigerian Content regime in the oil and gas industry, ” he said.
While noting that oil and gas industry is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, Engr. Wabote stressed the need for “all hands to be on deck to ensure that Nigeria derives maximum value for oil and gas activities for as long as oil and gas remain relevant in the global energy mix.
“We are aware of our own limited capacity as an agency. To effectively police the entire oil and gas value chain alone and thus recognise the investigative and forensic expertise of the various law enforcement agencies we have invited to this workshop so that this would create a platform for structured dialogue and information sharing to foster the required senergy for achieving broad compliance with the NOGICD Act.”
It is worthwhile to note that Tuesday’s gathering was the second workshop for law enforcement agencies convened by NCDMB. The first workshop took place in Abuja in November 2020.
Tuesday’s gathering also saw the NCDMB boss detail background of the establishment of the NCDMB and intimate the agencies with some key provisions of the NOGICD Act.
Engr. Wabote also highlighted achievements so far realized in deepening Nigerian Content level as well as provided overview of the Board’s 10-year strategic roadmap.
Thereafter, there were paper presentations and a panel session during which the distinguished panelists looked into the legal issue and challenges implicit in multi stakeholder engagement and enforcement of the NOGICD Act.
The workshop also provided room for feedback sessions and interventions from partners.
