The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have raised optimism about the improved participation of Nigerians in the most critical areas of the oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, who made this known at the commissioning of the Offshore Simulation and Innovation Center (POSAIC) in Lagos, said such investments by Nigerian companies remove doubts about the capacity of Nigerians to own and operate key assets in the oil and gas industry.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have raised optimism about the improved participation of Nigerians in the most critical areas of the oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, who made this known at the commissioning of the Offshore Simulation and Innovation Center (POSAIC) in Lagos, said such investments by Nigerian companies remove doubts about the capacity of Nigerians to own and operate key assets in the oil and gas industry.
Nwapa maintained that indigenous ownership of key assets is the best guarantee that the implementation of the Nigerian Content policy will endure, adding that when Nigerians own assets, they would insist that provisions of the Act must be implemented with regards to domiciliation of industry work. "It will also be easier to enforce manning of such assets by Nigerians with the requisite skills," he said.
He promised that the Board would protect Nigerians that invest in such facilities by galvanizing the industry to put work in such facilities.
Nwapa also credited the successes recorded so far in implementing the Nigerian Content Act to the courage and leadership provided by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and the support of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Nigerian Content agenda.
The Offshore Simulation and Innovation Center (POSAIC), established by an indigenous oil servicing company, PEM Offshore Limited, is said to be the first of its kind in West Africa.
The first phase has been set up and when other facilities are put in place, the center will have a full suite of Offshore Anchor Handling Simulation Equipment, Dynamic Positioning, Power Management and Crane Simulation Systems and support the training of local and foreign offshore personnel involved in the oil and gas operations. It will also meet the growing demand for highly competent and qualified personnel for the highly sophisticated and safety driven industry.
Senior Vice President, PEM Offshore Group, Philips Eze Matthew commended NCDMB for stimulating investment in marine crew training facilities through the marine vessel utilization scheme.
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