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NCDMB seeks firms’collaboration over local content policy’s implementation

By Collins Olayinka, (Abuja) and Roseline Okere (Lagos)
15 July 2015   |   12:20 am
ACHIEVING success in the implementation of Nigerian Content policy holds huge benefits to every stakeholder in the oil and gas industry including the International Oil Companies (IOCs), the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Denzil Kentebe has said. A statement signed by the Media Relations Supervisor of NCDMB, Obinna Ezeobi, quoted Kentebe…
Kentebe

Kentebe

ACHIEVING success in the implementation of Nigerian Content policy holds huge benefits to every stakeholder in the oil and gas industry including the International Oil Companies (IOCs), the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Denzil Kentebe has said.

A statement signed by the Media Relations Supervisor of NCDMB, Obinna Ezeobi, quoted Kentebe as saying this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa while hosting general managers of Nigerian Content Divisions in the IOCs, who paid him a courtesy visit.

Meanwhile, NCDMB has commissioned the spool yard for Glass Reinforced Epoxy or GRE pipes of Bell Oil and Gas Limited.

The Executive Secretary explained that the Act is not implemented in an oppositional manner where the board and the operators view themselves as industry adversaries.

He stated that rather than adopt such a posture, the board decided from inception in 2010 to collaborate with the IOCs, other operators and service industry stakeholders, adding that this model had proven very effective in stimulating compliance with provisions of the Act.

He stressed that the developmental role of the board was very critical and it involved close collaboration with stakeholders to develop in-country capacities and capabilities which makes it possible to execute most industry projects hitherto taken abroad before the advent of the Act.

While acknowledging the partnership of operating companies with the Board over the years and their support to the development of local capacity through various initiatives, Kentebe charged the companies not to rest on their oars, as he is new in the saddle and in view of the operational challenges facing the industry at the moment.

He assured that the board would work closely with Nigerian Content GMs to find solutions to problems their companies might have relating to Nigerian Content compliance in their projects.

The spool yard worth over $4 million is described as the first of its kinds in Nigeria and Africa is expected to provide immediate solutions to various oil and gas projects onshore and offshore.

Glass Reinforced Epoxy or GRE pipes are a valid alternative to carbon steel pipes especially for corrosive, aggressive and normal environments. GRE pipe technology is based on the continuous Filament Winding process using high strength fiberglass (E-glass) and amine-cured epoxy resin as basic material.

The pipes are reinforced throughout with tough glassfiber strands creating a lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant pipe that meets most international standards.

Speaking on the Bell Oil & Gas $4 million spool yard, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Denzil Amagbe Kentebe, said the world class facility is capable of creating thousands of employment for Nigerians and ending capital flight in the oil and gas industry.

According to him, the project, which will bring employment opportunity and in-country capacity building for the spool yard, was documented and recorded with the training and certification of over 70 Nigerian engineers in the last 24 months.

“In the last 54 years of oil exploration in Nigeria, if in every 24months we have been training 70 Nigerians, you know how many Nigerian engineers we would have produced today in the oil and gas industry. But this is the beginning, and I am sure with the support of NCDMB and Industry operators, Bell oil and Gas will continue to make us proud,” he assured.

Kentebe observed that a lot of restiveness in the Niger Delta region and insecurity issues would have become a thing of the past if each oil and gas company has been training a minimum of 70 Nigerian every 24 months.

This type of facility according to him, is part of the vision to use Nigerian Content as a platform for industrialization, creation of more jobs and training opportunities for several Nigerians. I think we are on the path of eradicating insecurity by measures such as this investment made by Bell Oil and Gas. “This commissioning is a major milestone achievement for Nigerian Content Development because it was achieved on the back of Nigerian Content Act under the leadership of my predecessor and pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa. I find this initiative and others which the NCDMB initiated before I came on board as very laudable,” he said.

The NCDMB boss gave the assurance that the board will continue to implement this framework and support investment in establishing more facilities of this type in Nigeria.“Today, we are celebrating Bell Oil for taking the first practical step to deliver real value to the Nigerian economy. BOG has been developing capacity in GRE fabrication and installation for which they have carved a niche for themselves in the last 10 years. Today, the company has qualified Nigerians carrying out the operations and in the last four years they have embarked on aggressive deployment of young Nigerian engineers in readiness for this facility,” he added.

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