The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola on Monday inaugurated new members of the Nigerian Content Research and Development Council (NCRDC).
The newly onboarded members are the Executive Secretary, who would serve as Chairman, the Director Research and Development, NCDMB, Mr. Isaac Yalah, who would function as the Alternate Chairman and the General Manager, Research and Development, NCDMB, Mr. Silas Ajimajaye, who would function as the Secretary
Other members include representatives from the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS), National Universities Commission (NUC) and National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI). Other institutions represented on the Council include the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
The induction of new members was held during the Council’s 3rd Quarter meeting held in Lagos State and it follows the exit of some former members from the management of the NCDMB.
The Council’s terms of reference are to advise the NCDMB on criteria and methodology for prioritizing market cum demand-driven research projects, advise on the appropriate strategies and governance arrangements to attract funding for research projects and advise the Board on criteria for the award of research grants and review progress on impact of such grants on Research projects, Product development and Innovation.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary affirmed NCDMB’s commitment to stimulate indigenous research and development ideas to drive oil and gas industry and linkage sectors. He stated that R&D is critical to the growth of Nigerian Content, hence it is one of the enablers of the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap.
He alluded to the success recorded by the NCDMB with Amal Technologies Gas Leak Detection Device and Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Facility at Idu, Abuja as proof of the agency’s contributions to the research and development space. He charged the new Council to “do more to bring up more research and development into Nigeria”.
He promised that the new Council will review its policies and come up with a framework on accelerating development of technology in the oil and gas industry.
In his remarks, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, who is the outgoing alternate chairman of the Council noted that NCDMB R&D framework is anchored on seven policy thrust, including focus on market driven research, establishment of world class Research and Development (R&D) Centers of Excellence, establishment of Research and Development Council and provision of sustainable funding to support Research and Development. Other areas of focus include development of stakeholder collaboration matrix for Research and Development (R&D), provision of enablers for commercialization of research breakthrough and facilitation of acceptance and utilization of products of research by end users.
He informed that NCDMB had developed a Nigerian Content R&D Roadmap, and the eight pillars include Funding, Infrastructure, Capacity Building, Collaboration, Capability, Commercial Framework, Governance, Legal Framework and Enforcement.
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