The Co-Chair of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bolstering local content programmes during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting served as a platform for Ogbe and the top management of NCDMB to apprise the Minister of the agency’s mandate, activities, and ongoing initiatives.
The presentation highlighted the Board’s significant investments in third-party projects, with over 60% of these investments being gas-focused.
These investments align with the government’s strategy to drive economic growth through the utilization of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources and adhere to the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
In response, the Minister commended NCDMB for its strategic investments, which have contributed to job creation and the deepening of local content in the petroleum sector.
He reiterated his unwavering support for NCDMB’s mandate, emphasizing the importance of adhering to due process in line with the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Furthermore, the Minister pledged to personally visit NCDMB’s third-party projects and beneficiaries of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, particularly those focusing on gas initiatives. He underscored the significance of these projects in advancing Nigeria’s economic objectives.
Ekpo also lauded NCDMB for its pivotal role in approving the Nigeria LNG Train 7 project, highlighting the substantial benefits it has brought to the Nigerian economy.
Among the senior management of NCDMB present at the meeting were Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation; Abayomi Bamidele, Director of Projects Certification and Authorization; Naboth Onyesoh, Acting Director of Legal Services; and Ifeanyi Ukoha, Acting Director of Finance and Personnel Management.
Ekpo’s appointment as Co-Chair of the Governing Council of NCDMB was formally approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in mid-April, with the announcement made public by the President’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Pix above: Newly appointed Co-Chair of the Governing Council of NCDMB and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo with the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe.