By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says it will sanction companies that default or fail to comply with the Human Capacity Development provisions contained in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote made this known on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the second edition of the Virtual Stakeholders workshop for Human Capacity Development in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.
Speaking on the topic, Human Capacity Development: The Pillar for Nigeria’s industrialization, the NCDMB chieftain warned that the Board would enforce periodic forensic audit for HCD programmes and companies found violating the NOGICD Act 2010 and the Ministerial Regulations in executing cost intensive Capacity Development Initiatives as mandated by the Act would be sanctioned.
He said: “it has come to the attention of the Board that some operating companies and services companies are reluctant to implement the HCD programmes as directed by the Board.
Most of the companies are testing the mettle of the Board and I want to use this opportunity to inform erring companies that the Board will meet appropriate sanctions to them as prescribed by the Act”.
He added that the Board is mandated to ensure that the industry derives maximum benefits from huge investments and also ensure beneficiaries of the HCD training programmes find gainful employment in the industry.
Stressing on the importance of human capacity development, Wabote said,” with the rapid advancement in technologies used in the oil and gas industry, our industry will continue to be manned by foreigners and expats, if we do not keep pace with the spate of technological development by developing the human capabilities required for the challenges of modern industrial technologies.
It is with a view to developing the Nigerian workforce capable of leading and advancing technological developments in the oil and Gas industry and supporting the attainment of Nigerian local Content aspirations that the proponents of the NOGICD Act deemed it necessary to include clauses that mandate Employment and Training in the Act.”
Engr. Wabote commended the efforts of some operating companies and services companies that comply with the directives of the Board, noting that the future of the industry will be at risk without adequate investment in Human Capacity Development. He reiterated that Nigeria is leading Africa on Human Capacity Development in the oil and Gas industry.
“I can proudly say that we have the skilled workforce to lead and sustain the development of oil fields in Africa for the foreseeable future. All the major and serious oil and gas operating and service companies have Nigerians in very senior leadership positions and we are beginning to export our workforce across the world”, he added.
The Nigerian Content Boss further revealed that that the Board has trained over 13,000 workforce in different skill areas and over 5,000 are gainfully employed in the industry.
He mentioned that various capacity development initiatives have been executed by the Board including upgrading and commissioning facilities in vocational and tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
According to him, the Board has also trained the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers in secondary schools and promoted Technical vocational Educational Systems (TVETS) policy across the country as well as equipping them with modern tools and machines.
Engr. Wabote went on to note that the Board has also completed the ultra-modern vocational centre of excellence which was initiated by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in Port Harcourt.
It is worthwhile to note that this year’s edition of the Human Capital Development (HCD) Workshop is aimed at Revamping Training and Development in the Oil and Gas industry in a post COVID-19 world while raising compliance with the new HCD Learning & Development Plan.
It also seeks to improve employability of trainees as well as adopt technology to accelerate the quality and speed of training development.
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