The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has concluded the training of its staff who will spearhead the design and operation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGAPS).
The training was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State across nine weeks and the 45 participants also embarked on field trips to Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Rivers State and Utuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The oil and gas parks will be sited in Bayelsa, Imo and Cross Rivers States in the first phase and preliminary construction activities are about to begin.
Speaking at the close-out ceremony of the programme held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State recently, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa explained that the training was conceived to instill the selected participants with a mindset that is focused on development and manufacturing. He charged them to apply the knowledge they acquired in realizing the oil and gas park projects.
According to him, the Board embarked on the development of the parks in a bid to promote manufacturing of oil and gas components and provide opportunities for research and development.
He listed other benefits to include bringing Local Content practice closer to the grass roots and integrating oil and gas based entrepreneurs into manufacturing as well as supporting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through mentoring by international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other multinationals.
The Executive Secretary maintained that the parks would form part of NCDMB’s landmark achievements. “I want to be able to point at some monuments and say that apart from insisting that the industry grow and do the right thing, create jobs and value in Nigeria, we have also as an agency of government created this pipe mill, this oil and gas park and changed the way things are done in the industry,” he added.
He also expressed hope that international producing oil companies and service companies will participate in the scheme to make it a success and charged industry stakeholders to focus on manufacturing of components as against short term contracting which had been the bane of the sector.
In his goodwill message, the General Manager, Nigerian Content, Exxon Mobil, Mr. Sola Ogunsakin pledged the commitment of international oil companies towards making the Oil and Gas Parks Scheme a success.
He stated “We believe in this programme and we are going to contribute our quota towards making it a success. The Board has taken several giant strides in promoting the Nigerian Content since the enactment of the Act. This is going to attract foreign and domestic investments, promote community participation, manufacturing and foster the mentoring of local small and medium scale enterprises.”
In their comments, the trainees commended the Board for taking them through an elaborate programme which exposed them to the philosophy and operations of oil and gas industrial parks and promised to apply their acquired knowledge into good use when the projects begin.
Discover more from Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
