NCDMB retirees celebrate local content growth from 5% to 61%

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has honoured 14 of its retired employees for their contributions to the growth and development of local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The retirees were honoured at a celebration dinner held on Sunday at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The event also provided an opportunity for former management staff of the board to reflect on the challenges surrounding the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, and the progress recorded since its enactment.

Speaking at the ceremony, a former Director of Legal Services, Mohammed Umar, said the implementation of the Act was initially met with resistance from major players in the oil and gas industry.

Umar said the board had to deploy tact and sustained engagement to convince industry operators of the benefits of complying with the local content law.

“Local content was new in the oil and gas sector. Companies were hardly cooperative, and tact was required to create understanding and compliance with the provisions of the Act,” he said.

He noted that local content had grown from about five per cent in 2010 to 61 per cent, describing the development as a major achievement.

“Local content has come to stay. Many other African countries now come to Nigeria to learn the secret of the country’s success,” Umar stated.

He urged serving employees of the board to remain committed and give their best to sustain the progress recorded in local content development.

Another retiree, Daziba Obah, who served as pioneer Director of Planning, Research and Statistics and later as Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB, recalled the challenges encountered during the construction of the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower.

Obah also spoke about the early challenges of funding research and development projects, noting that the board eventually demonstrated its capacity by successfully organising its maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in Lagos in 2017.

Similarly, a former Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Isaac Yalah, described NCDMB as an institution that provides staff with the tools and training required to excel.

He said the $350m Nigerian Content Intervention Fund had significantly boosted the participation of indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector.

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“The Nigerian Content Intervention Fund was a game changer with regard to indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry,” Yalah said.

He added that several Nigerian service companies accessed the fund at single-digit interest rates to acquire assets and expand their operations.

Yalah urged serving staff to continue learning and remain focused on taking the board to greater heights.

Also speaking, former General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr Ginah Ginah, described his years at NCDMB as “very exciting times.”

Ginah said the board’s training programmes contributed significantly to staff development, while its establishment of Information and Communication Technology centres helped promote digital awareness among young people in oil-producing communities.

Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Esueme Kikile, said the event was organised to honour men and women who had dedicated significant portions of their professional lives to the service of the board.

Kikile said the retirees contributed not only through their official responsibilities but also by mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge and building institutional relationships.

He said, “Their contributions extended beyond the duties associated with their respective positions, as they shared knowledge, built relationships, mentored colleagues and contributed to the institutional experience that continues to shape the Board today.”

Kikile, on behalf of the management and staff of NCDMB, wished the retirees good health, peace, happiness and fulfilment in their retirement.

The ceremony also featured testimonials from serving staff who had worked closely with the retirees, including former technical assistants.

The speakers recalled the mentorship, professional guidance and support they received from the retirees during their years of service.

The event ended with a dance session by the retirees and a cultural performance, providing an opportunity for former and serving staff to interact in a relaxed atmosphere.

Other retirees honoured included Dr Ama Ikuru, Adelana Akintunde, Dr Obinna Ofili, Angela Okoro, Taridouye Gagariga, Ombu Atonbara, Okpetu Gabriel and Peter Isu Odo.