The stakeholders tour of key projects established by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) recently berthed at key Board’s facilities in Bayelsa State.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah led the team and they visited the 17 storey Nigerian Content headquarters, the integrated gas plant at Elebele, and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) site at Emeyal 1.
The General Manager disclosed that the oil and gas park at Emeyal 1 was conceived to domicile the manufacturing of oil and gas equipment and components in-country as part of the strategy to increase Nigerian Content performance in the industry to 70 percent by 2027.
He stated that the project has already generated employment for members of the community in the construction activities and trained young people in the area to operate heavy-duty equipment, noting that the Board was already achieving its objectives for setting up the oil and gas park.
In his comments, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ayibaina Duba who spoke through the Director of Strategy in the Minstry. Mr. Ade Bakare expressed delight at the landmark projects NCDMB has established in the state and expressed hope that the completion of the projects will benefit young Bayelsans in terms of employment opportunities and human capacity development.
Hon. Duba promised to develop a strategy that will ensure that citizens of the state are enlightened on the benefits of the park to enable them to prepare adequately and take advantage of the benefits.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Lambert Ototo represented by Mr. Taman Johnbull stated that the tour of the facilities had given stakeholders a proper understanding of the Board’s mandate and programmes and corrected the misinformation that is prevalent among the generality of Bayelsa residents.
Chief Ototo promised to sensitize the people on the programs and projects the Board is implementing in the state, and to ensure the citizens participate with a view to develop themselves and benefit from the projects conceived to develop the Niger Delta region.
A representative of the youths in the area and Chairman, Central Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC), Comrade Clever Inodu stated that the tour had opened the programmes of the Board to the populace. He hinted that adequate information about the Board’s programs would encourage the Bayelsa citizenry to protect critical facilities of the Board.
Comrade Inodu lauded the Board for the massive work that is going on at the oil and gas park which will provide lots of opportunities for youths in the area and tackle insecurity and restiveness. He also charged youths to secure the oil and gas park and guard against any incidence of vandalization.
In her comments, the Women Leader of Emeyal 1 Community, Mrs. Destiny Obom Amatare, affirmed the preparedness of the women and youths of her community to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the oil and gas park.
