NCDMB wraps up the PNC 2024 with a renewed focus on empowering communities, enhancing local content, and advancing Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) successfully concluded the 2024 Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with a strong commitment to fostering partnerships between communities and the oil and gas industry.
The four-day event, held at the Nigerian Content Tower, drew stakeholders from across Nigeria’s energy sector to discuss ways to deepen local content implementation.
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At the closing ceremony, NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, thanked participants for their contributions, which he said enriched discussions on advancing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
Represented by Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile, General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Engr. Ogbe highlighted several key initiatives aimed at supporting community development and industry growth.
Among the highlighted initiatives were:
- Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative: Designed to equip local youths with skills tailored to industry needs by improving educational facilities and motivating teachers.
- Revised Community Contractors Financing Scheme: The funding limit for contractors has been raised from ₦20 million to ₦100 million, enabling local contractors to secure and execute larger projects.
- Nigerian Content Academy: A training facility leveraging 14 years of NCDMB expertise to build capacity in Nigerian content implementation.
Engr. Ogbe emphasised the Board’s commitment to ensuring these programmes bridge gaps in the oil and gas supply chain and bring tangible benefits to host communities.
During panel discussions, industry leaders explored strategies for addressing regulatory barriers, standardising local production, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Panels also discussed grassroots development, focusing on how local content policies could transform host communities.
The forum featured insights on broader economic frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, a Senior Trade Policy and Law Expert, highlighted AfCFTA’s potential to drive Africa’s economic rebirth through its eight Protocols, including Trade in Goods, Digital Trade, and Women and Youth in Trade.
Another highlight was the Marine Accelerator Programme (MAP), developed to improve safety and operational standards in Nigeria’s marine services industry.
The programme, launched in 2025, has made significant strides and is set for expansion in 2025.
The event concluded with a site visit to the First Marine and Engineering Services (FMES) facility in Yenagoa, showcasing the importance of collaboration in achieving energy sufficiency goals.
