The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reported significant progress in implementing its 10-year strategic roadmap, which was launched in 2017 with a Nigerian content performance of 26%.
The General Manager of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Ginah O. Ginah, PhD, made this disclosure at a capacity-building workshop for journalists in Lagos State.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Media Competencies to Support Nigerian Content in a Gas Economy,” aimed to encourage the media to give adequate attention to the Federal Government’s aspirations in the gas sector and the efforts of the NCDMB to support these objectives.
According to Engr. Ginah, Nigerian content performance for 2022 has increased to 54%, surpassing the target of 42% set for the year.
He said the average Nigerian content performance over the past five years has been 44%, surpassing the board’s target.
Engr. Ginah emphasized the importance of the gas sector in the Federal Government’s plan to fully exploit Nigeria’s abundant gas resources and accelerate the development of the economy.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari has declared the period from 2021 to 2030 as Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” and is committed to using gas as a transition fuel, with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources implementing policies such as the National Gas Expansion Program and the Gas Network Code.
According to him, the NCDMB has partnered with 15 firms to set up projects in areas such as modular refining, gas processing, and power generation, with 70% of its investments focused on gas-based activities.
He also said that the board has also established the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme to reduce gas flaring and harness the economic potential of flared gas.
Engr. Ginah also revealed that in addition to its work in the gas sector, the NCDMB has also made progress in other areas of the oil and gas value chain. He said the board established a Local Content Support Fund to provide financing for indigenous companies and has implemented a number of initiatives to promote the use of locally manufactured equipment in the industry.
Furthermore, Engr. Ginah said the NCDMB continues to engage with stakeholders across the country in order to support the development of Nigerian content and achieve the goals set out in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) Act. He said NCDMB is committed to transparent and effective communication with the media, as well as the wider public, in order to keep them informed about its progress and challenges.
Engr. Ginah concluded by urging the media to support the Federal Government’s efforts to fully exploit Nigeria’s gas resources and contribute to the country’s economic development. He also encouraged journalists to take advantage of the training provided at the workshop to enhance their skills and competencies in reporting on the gas sector and Nigerian content.