Wabote harps on prioritising local content as national agenda to sustain growth
…As NCDMB surpasses 2023 Nigerian Content target
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has harped on the importance of prioritising local content on the national agenda of the country.
Speaking at the 12th edition of the Practical Nigerian Content holding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Engr.Wabote said that Local Content growth is directly proportional to its being prioritised as a National Agenda.
The NCDMB ES revealed that the Board has exceeded its Nigerian Content target of 47 percent for the year by achieving 54 percent Nigerian Content.
He however noted that: “Once there is a lack of leadership backing at all levels, it opens the door for the practice to take the back seat. Needless to add that this has its consequences which are not usually immediate.”
“While the 54 percent NC Level achieved in 2023 is commendable, it calls for industry stakeholders to reflect if this is a sign of stagnation or the inflection point leading to the decline in NC level in the oil and gas industry.
“From where I sit, I see some disturbing signs pointing to that direction and I believe we can counter these emerging dynamics as this is not the first time we have faced such an onslaught on local content practice.
“I am sure you all know that getting the industry to this level of Nigerian Content is not a walk in the park and I believe all discerning stakeholders in the industry will play their part to prevent us from going back to the dark days of implementing Nigerian Content as a token of consolation. The nexus between high Nigerian Content levels and the relative peace in the industry must not be lost on us.
“In more than seven (7) years of being in the saddle, I have served under 2 Presidents and 3 Ministers of State, with oversights from 7 Committee Chairmen spanned over the 8th, 9th, and now the 10th National Assembly not to mention the interactions several CEOs of international and indigenous operators.
“We have managed to adapt our workstyles and initiatives to derive the support of our principals and various stakeholders while enabling their various programs and policy initiatives such as 7 Big Wins, Economic Sustainability Program, Year of Gas, Decade of Gas, and several others.”
According to the 2023 Nigerian Content level performance reeked out by the ES, the top 3 performers of in-country spend are Shipping, Surveying/Positioning services, and Inspection/Testing and Certification with each at 100 percent NC level.
On the other hand, the bottom 3 performers are Modification and Maintenance at 26 percent NC level; Health, Safety and Environment at 31 percent NC level; and Materials and Procurement at 32 percent NC level.”
