By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has achieved a significant milestone in local content participation with the construction of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Train 7.
According to the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, 60% of the construction of the Train 7 has been handled locally.
Engr. Wabote made this known at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday where he talked about the forthcoming Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair scheduled to take place in Bayelsa from May 17 to 19.
The local content chieftain explained that the involvement of Nigerians in the construction of LNG Train 7 was significantly higher than that of LNG Train 1 to 6, where Nigerians had little to no participation due to their low performance in energy technology.
He attributed the milestone to the development of local capacity and capability, which allowed more Nigerians to participate in the project.
“I think the project is a total of about US$5 billion, and 50% of that is being handled in-country and by Nigerians,” Engr. Wabote stated, adding that the growth in local content participation in the oil and gas industry was achieved primarily through the biannual Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), organized by NCDMB.
Wabote highlighted that NOGOF, which will be holding its fourth edition this year, provides a platform for stakeholders to prepare themselves for opportunities in the industry.
“One of the greatest successes was that, with the advent of NOGOF, today, 60% of the activities in LNG 7 are being done by Nigerians. It is because we provided the prime information, which enabled them to prepare themselves to participate in that project,” he added.
NCDMB was established by the Nigerian government to support the development of local capacity and capability in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The board is mandated by the Act 2010 to foster institutional collaboration, maximize Nigerians’ participation in the oil and gas activities, and link the sector to other sectors of the economy.
The NOGOF, themed “The oil and gas industry, catalyst and fuel for industrialization of Nigeria,” is seen as an opportunity to industrialize the country.
Engr. Wabote stated that the goal is to use NOGOF as a platform to promote objectives that drive growth and development across the Nigeria oil and gas value chain.
He also emphasized that the event’s focus this year would include the linkage industries, and the reach will extend beyond Nigeria to the entire African continent.
NOGOF2023 will bring together key stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to discuss ways to deepen local content by leveraging identified opportunities and identifying ways to move the industry forward.
Interested stakeholders can visit WWW.NCDMBNOGOF.org for information on how to get involved in any capacity.
