NCDMB tasks oil companies to innovatively utilize HCD fund to develop human capital
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has tasked operators in the oil and gas industry to innovatively utilize the Human Capital Development Fund setup by the Nigeria oil and gas industry content development act (NOGICD) in developing human capital in the country.
Speaking at the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Forum holding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr.Simbi Wabote acknowledged that Nigeria’s human capital index still remains abysmally low.
According to him, “Most of the divestments to the IPPG companies were done by the IOCs and when the IOCs divested, they divested the human capital and this people are aging.”
“Somewhere along the line this people will fade away. The idea behind the fund is thus for companies to devise a strategy to deploy the fund to build capacity. That is why the NCDMB collaborated with the PTDF to develop a facility in Port-Harcourt. We went to to the IPPG to use whatever HCD fund they have to develop the centre.”
“When you want to employ the young ones you say they don’t have expeirence, how will they gain the experience? Using that fund, NCDMB does not touch it but it is for you to build the capacity of Nigeroans to manage the business you have inherited from the IOCs. It is for the indigenous companies to use the funds to feed the industry with human capacity.”
The NCDMB ES also board that the board has also committed to developing the capacity of its workforce.
“As we carry out various intervention across the industry, we also ensure that our staffs are not left behind as we continue to develop the capacity and capability of our staff via training and exposure and assignment to job roles that bring out commensurate talents.” Wabote said.
“On Human Capacity Development, we identified existing technical/vocational or craft centers and carried out intervention programs to strengthen the institutions such as Government Technical College in Abak, Akwa Ibom State, GTC Port Harcourt, GTC Amoli, University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University, University of Lagos, Nigerian Maritime University, and many others.”
“The HCD programs has enabled training and provision of sea-time exposure to marine cadets, underwater divers, boat builders, NDT Level-3 certified engineers.” He explained further.
