OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Local content development is an integral part of the Nigerian oil and gas industry just as it is a veritable means for fostering socio-economic development.
This was disclosed by Engr. Simibi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) while delivering the Third Convocation Lecture of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun(FUPRE) with the theme : “Defining the Value of Local Content In Petroleum Education”.
Engr. Wabote commended the laudable strides of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) Effurun Delta State for playing a leading role as a centre of academic excellence in the provision of research and learning in the oil and gas sector.
Engr. Wabote stated that since the establishment of FUPRE in 2007 and the intake of its first set of 113 foundation students , the specialized Petroleum University has continued to wax stronger as the first university of petroleum in Africa and the sixth ( 6 ” ) in the world .
According to Engr. Wabote, FUPRE’s mission and vision is consistent with the position of Nigeria as having the largest deposit of hydrocarbon resources in Africa, he commend the foresight of the Federal Government that resulted in the establishment of FUPRE fifteen ( 15 ) years ago as a full – fledged citadel of learning to prepare bright minds to drive the development of nation’s hydrocarbon sector .
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB) added, “ the title of this lecture is apt as local content development is now an integral part of the Nigerian oil and gas industry , especially with regard to driving development across the industry. The ongoing debate and indeed the deadlines being set in respect of energy transition also bring to fore the need to develop home-grown skill sets to develop and manage our natural resources.”
He noted, “the importance of human capital development cannot be overemphasized as it is the core of local content development. Hence one of the keys to a successful Local Content Development programme is for such program to be linked to education. “
However, he lamented that despite huge hydrocarbon deposits in Nigeria, the gains of the oil and gas industry did not translate to much for the people and the economy of the nation as the sector which was dominated by foreigners and foreign equipment , goods and services for more than 50 years , saying that the oil and gas industry experienced massive capacity flight and phenomenal job losses which resulted in local content level of less than 5 %.
Engr. further said , “in a bid to change this Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 which, among others, established the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB) as the sole agency of Government responsible for driving the development of local content in the oil and gas industry was conceptualized.”
He stressed that there is need for Nigeria to develop a Nigerian content economy by a systematic development of capacity and capabilities through the deliberate utilization of Nigerian human , material resources and services in the Nigerian oil and gas industry
The NCDMB he explained have two key mandates which are to develop local capacities and capabilities and to monitor compliance and enforce provisions of NOGICD Act 2010.
He emphasized during the lecture that over time experience in local development has shown that the development of sustainable local content requires a combination of six key elements with a road map hinged on five pillars and four enablers which involves technical capability development , development of critical skills, and Infrasructures that are required and utilized in the oil and gas industry.
Engr. Wabote who expressed confidence in the implementation of the Local content and the progress made so far further stated : “using the NCDMB as a reference , we have achieved much because we have utilized our Human Capacity education . These touchpoints include Research and Development , Vocational Development goals to support the development of skills gaps in petroleum skills , Science and Innovation and others .”
He spoke further, “human capacity development is an essential component of local content development and concerted efforts must be made to develop the critical skills required in the oil and gas industry to ensure that our hydrocarbon resources are utilized for the development of our country irrespective of the outcome of the debate around Energy Transition.”
Earlier, in a welcome address, Engr.(Prof.) Rim-Rukeh Akpofure Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun(FUPRE) expressed his appreciation to Principal Officers of the University , Dean’s, Directors, staff and the Guest Speaker, Engr Simbi Wabote and all other guests who graced the 3rd
convocation Lecture.
The Vice Chancellor had earlier at a press briefing said that the 3rd edition of the convocation lecture will be a triple helix model, roundtables of experts in the oil and gas sector brainstormed on two topics titled: ” Facilitating a formidable industry , Government and academia partnership to foster energy sector innovation and ” Energy Transition, offshore Assets Divestment by OICs – – What’s next for Nigerian indigenous companies and local content.
Prof. Akpofure added, “the Triple helix model is clearly the way forward as the idea proved to be the best approach to the energy transition education as it gave practical answers to questions that have long been begging for answers.
