The Senate Committee on Local Content, led by its Chairman, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has pledged to support the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in its quest to fully Nigerianize the workforce in the oil and gas sector.

The committee made this commitment during an oversight visit to the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which included a tour of the near-complete Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) project located in Emeyal I, Ogbia Local Government Area. The park is already partially occupied.

Senator Thomas said the committee’s mandate is to ensure that Nigerians derive maximum benefit from the country’s oil and gas resources.

He emphasized the Senate’s resolve to create an enabling environment for business growth, job creation, skills development, and increased local participation—areas in which the NCDMB plays a critical role.

“The National Assembly is committed to increasing Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry, thereby creating economic opportunities and improving livelihoods,” he said. “We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the NCDMB in its mission to develop and implement policies that promote local content.”

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the committee, Senator Ede Dafinone, expressed satisfaction with the board’s efforts to promote in-country production of oil and gas equipment.

“We are impressed by the work being done by the Executive Secretary and his team. The industrial park is nearing completion and already attracting tenants,” he said. “Beyond physical infrastructure, the NCDMB is also delivering on training and capacity-building for Nigerians.”

Senator Dafinone added that the board has assessed itself at a 56% progress mark in terms of Nigerianizing the sector and has presented actionable recommendations to the committee for further legislative support.

“We will continue engagements to deepen these initiatives and build a more resilient, locally driven oil and gas sector,” he stated.

Welcoming the Senate delegation, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, disclosed that ten firms have already applied to occupy space at the Emeyal I industrial park, with six meeting the eligibility requirements.

He appealed for the exclusion of the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) from revenue deductions, in accordance with Section 104 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which establishes the fund to support local content development.

Ogbe said the board is targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capable of producing essential oil and gas industry materials such as bolts, nuts, safety gear, and fabricated components.

“We are seeing significant interest. The facility managers are already preparing the completed areas for occupancy. Once power is fully installed—generators are arriving soon—we’ll begin allocations,” he said.

“We are encouraging more credible applicants, especially SMEs in areas like fabrication, safety wear production, and chemical processing, to take advantage of the opportunities the park offers.”