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NCDMB, APPO Recommits To African Local Content Development
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) have recommitted their partnership towards establishing African centres of excellence in local content development.
The Tide gathered that both organisations were also set to encourage African petroleum producing countries to develop specialised capacities in core oil and gas services, and patronise one another in their respective areas of expertise.
This came to the fore, Thursday, when the Secretary-General of APPO, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, visited the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, at the agency’s liaison office in Abuja.
Information made available to newsmen by the Department of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination of the NCDMB quoted the APPO scribe as having reiterated his organisation’s proposal to partner NCDMB towards establishing centres of excellence in key aspects of the oil and gas industry.
Dr. Ibrahim said the NCDMB’s Oil and Gas parks would serve as centres of excellence, and accommodate original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and investors from other African Oil Producing countries.
“Similar centres would be established in other African countries. Some firms had approached APPO to indicate interest to invest in Nigerian oil and gas sector, particularly in the oil and gas parks.
“It’s imperative for African oil producing countries to collaborate closely, since none of them had sufficient technical and financial capacity to operate independently. Close collaboration will actualise the noble objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)”, the APPO Scribe said.
Using Nigeria’s decades of experience in the oil and gas industry as reference point, Ibrahim charged NCDMB to use its capacity building initiatives and facilities to train technicians and personnel who can work in key areas of the Oil and Gas industry across Africa.
He also invited the NCDMB to partner and participate in the 4th African Local Content Roundtable (ALCR), planned to hold in Congo, and expected to be hosted by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo.
According to him, there is the need for the Board to reach out more to African Oil producers, sharing its success stories with those countries that looked up to Nigeria for guidance in local content, Oil and Gas operations.
APPO, he said, was determined to change the perception that African Oil producing countries would continue to rely on foreign nations and external institutions to harness their petroleum resources.
“Africa Oil producers must accelerate steps in innovating technology and providing the funding needed for the sector’s operations, one of the steps being the establishment of the African Energy Bank.
“I commend the NCDMB for achieving consistent Nigerian content development in the past 14 years, underpinned by a robust framework, backed with strong political will.
“Most African nations lack such structures, and subsumed their local content policies and agencies under their petroleum ministry or the national oil company”, he said.
In his remarks, the NCDMB’S Scribe reeled out the Board’s strategic support to other African petroleum nations, including the Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) on collaboration it signed with the Petroleum Commission, Ghana, in 2024, and with the Senegalese’s National Local Content Monitoring Committee in 2023.
Other strategic support initiatives of the Board, according to the Board’s scribe, were capacity building workshops it organised for other African Oil producing countries.
“The Board is equally projecting and showcasing the capacities of established Nigerian Oil and Gas service companies to other African nations. We’re opening new vista of opportunities for them in those markets”, Ogbe said.
He underlined the need for Nigerian service companies to partner local companies whenever they enter other African countries, and to obey local laws, expressing delight over the proposal to designate the Oil and Gas parks as African centres of excellence, and affirmed that the parks would be completed and commissioned this year, 2025.
“The NCDMB has started inviting manufacturers and other intending investors to apply and take up shop floors in the parks. And so I want to extend our invitation to OEMs and other investors from across Africa and beyond to invest in the Oil and Gas parks. Nigerian content emphasises domiciliation and domestication of capacities, and not indigenisation.
“I thank you, APPO Secretary-General for your meritorious service to the African energy industry which has culminated in the establishment the African Energy Bank with headquarters in Abuja, the Nigerian capital city. Secretary-General, continue serving the African Oil and Gas industry even after the expiration your tenure at APPO”, Ogbe added.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has affirmed that it is taking strategic steps to enhance local participation and encourage investment in the maritime sector under the supervision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who disclosed this recently while receiving the Executive Members of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to fostering a level playing field and creating an enabling environment for businesses in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Dr. Mobereola revealed that NIMASA is deepening its collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to explore policies that will boost indigenous involvement and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector.
“The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy is committed to encouraging indigenous players to invest more in Nigeria’s maritime industry. Issues such as national carriers and trade terms remain top priorities under this administration.
“Our focus is to create an enabling environment where private investors can thrive. In this regard, we have initiated discussions with the NCDMB and NNPC Limited to address these critical matters”, he stated.
He said NIMASA remains committed to fostering strategic partnerships that will enhance local investment, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
In response, Comrade John Aleakhue Okpono, Secretary General of the Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, emphasized the need for closer collaboration between NIMASA and the Merchant Navy.
He also urged the Agency to review waiver clauses to ensure more opportunities for Nigerian seafarers.
Stories by Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Towards enhancing safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.
According to a statement on by the spokesman, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Suleiman Makama, the event, which was held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, confirmed crucial steps taken to address the recurring challenges of boat accidents across the country.
In his address, the Honourable Minister emphasized the urgent need to stem the tide of tragic boat mishaps, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and properties.
He described the country’s waterways as vital to commerce, transportation, and livelihoods, stressing that their safety and efficiency are paramount to the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
He noted that the establishment of this committee aligns with the 2024 International World Maritime Day theme, “Navigating the Future: Safety First”.
“The task before us is daunting, but with unwavering commitment, we can eliminate boat mishaps and ensure that our waterways remain safe, navigable, and prosperous for generations to come”, Oyetola stated.
The committee comprises key stakeholders, including state government representatives, the Association of Boat Operators in Nigeria, marine safety experts, and academics.
It will be chaired by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, while Mr. Adams Offie, Deputy Director of Inland Waterways at the Ministry, will serve as Secretary.
The committee is tasked with conducting an in-depth review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying the root causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the committee, Oyebamiji assured the Minister on the dedication of members to deliver on the assignment.
He emphasized that safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways is non-negotiable, adding that NIWA, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, has been refocused to uphold its mandate without compromise.
Acknowledging the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for his proactive leadership, Oyebamiji noted that the establishment of the committee represents a critical step in addressing the persistent safety challenges in inland water transport.
“This is another solution-driven initiative aimed at eliminating boat mishaps on our waterways. I assure you that the confidence reposed in this committee will not be misplaced.
“At NIWA, this is an opportunity for us to intensify our efforts in reducing marine accidents to the barest minimum. On behalf of my fellow committee members, we pledge to work diligently and with utmost focus on the assigned terms of reference.
“Safety on our inland waterways is non-negotiable. NIWA has been refocused to ensure the highest safety standards, and this committee will work diligently to address the causes of boat mishaps and find lasting solutions,” Oyebamiji said.
The committee has been tasked with evaluating the root causes of boat accidents and recommending lasting solutions to enhance safety and operational standards.
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, has launched a massive clampdown on illegal dredgers operating in the State, ordering them to stop work immediately.
This exercise, which was carried out by the officials of the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, is aimed at curbing environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development across the waterfront schemes located across the coastal regions of the metropolis.
According to a statement, the enforcement operation, led by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, alongside members of his team, raided several illegal dredging sites which were subsequently shut down by the officials of the Ministry.
Some suspected dredging operators were arrested and a stop-work order was served on erring dredgers for non-compliance with laid-down regulations of the State Government.
Alebiosu warned the operators that failure to comply with extant laws guiding dredging activities could have dire effects and will result in severe penalties, including total closure of the sites.
Reacting to the claim that Dredgers are the major cause of environmental degradation in the state, including erosion and flooding, the Commissioner emphasised the need for dredging activities to be conducted lawfully to preserve roads, public infrastructure, and wetlands.
He explained that the State Government has vowed to streamline the activities of dredgers in the state to meet acceptable international standards.
“The Lagos State Government’s clampdown on illegal dredgers is a significant step towards protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the state.
“We will continue to carry out surveillance and raids across the coastal areas to ensure that the activities of a few don’t impact the lives of law-abiding citizens negatively”, Alebiosu stated.
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