(SINL NIGERIA) The Senate committee on local content has appealed for the full cooperation of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and respective international oil companies (IOC) in the discharge of its functions.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo (Delta South), took charge of the local content committee following changes in some chairmen of standing committees of the Senate recently, also urged members of the committee to be dedicated and committed to assignments of the committee; by bringing their expertise, wealth of experience, and passion so that collectively they can move the committee forward.
It would be recalled that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi North) was in charge of the committee before she was assigned to committee on Diaspora and Non governmental organizations by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking on the mandate of the committee during an inaugural meeting held Wednesday in Abuja, Senator Joel-Onowakpo said the jurisdiction of the committee shall include the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, matters relating to local capacity development, transfer of technology in oil and gas industries, and transfer of technology in the oil and gas industry, such as construction, power, rail movement and ICT.
He added that it also include issues relating to the patented local manpower.
He said “The committee will work hard to create an enabling environment that fosters the growth of businesses, promotes job creation, and develop critical assets and skills”.
The lawmaker explained that Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) plays a vital role in achieving these aims.
He recalled that the NCDMB was established by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010, saying “NCDMB is involved for guiding, monitoring, coordinating, and implementing the provisions of the Act”.
According to Senator Joel-Onowakpo, the board mandates include increased Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry, generating economic opportunities, and improving the livelihoods of Nigerians.
Specifically, he noted that the benefit of local content cannot be overemphasized, saying it will lead to the creation of jobs, youdevelopment of critical assets and skills, as well as the growth of local businesses.
He continued “government revenue will be increased, there will be improved balance of payment and a reduction in our current dependence on foreign goods and services.
To achieve these benefits, the chairman of the committee stated that collaborations between the committee and NCDNB is essential, “as we will work closely with NCDNB to ensure that the provisions of the Act are implemented effectively. The committee will not only provide oversight, but it will also support the board in its effort to provide and implement policies that promote local content development.
“In addition to our cooperation in the board, we will engage with other stakeholders, including operators, service providers, and local businesses. The committee will create an enabling environment that fosters growth of local businesses and promotes job creation.
“We will, among other things, request briefings from the board on the collection and disposal of entire content in a limited form, also ensure that infrastructure companies are legally compliant with existing local content laws and regulations”.
Meanwhile, he acknowledged the Senate President for finding him worthy to chair the committee. “I am humbled by this great assembly which I am very committed to working together to promote the development and implementation of Nigerian content in oil and gas, as well as other new big industries”.
