By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, has emphasized the need for African nations to bolster their local capabilities in the petroleum industry to drive economic growth and prosperity.
He said this at the 2023 Africa Energy Week in South Africa.
He expressed concerns over the limited expertise within African nations in key areas of the oil and gas sector, highlighting the need for development in engineering, procurement, construction, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and operation.
Wabote linked lack of African capacity to missed opportunities for job creation, revenue generation, skill development, and national progress.
He said a significant portion of expenditures in the oil and gas industry flows out of these nations, reinforcing the urgency of developing local capabilities to retain financial resources within the continent.
To enhance local content capacity in African countries, Wabote proposed making local content a national priority, supported by appropriate legislation. He cited Nigeria’s success in this regard with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act enacted in 2010.
He also stressed the importance of assessing current capacities, conducting gap analyses, and tailoring initiatives to address specific local needs.
Wabote said local content is not a one-size-fits-all concept and should consider regional nuances. Additionally, he highlighted the role of structured capacity building interventions, funding, incentives, and patronage of local goods and services in driving local content programs and fostering growth in the petroleum industry.
Providing an update on the NCDMB’s activities, Wabote disclosed that they initiated a 10-year Strategic Roadmap in 2018, aiming to achieve 70% Nigerian Content in the country’s oil and gas sector by 2027. He reported that significant progress had been made, with Nigerian Content levels reaching 54% by the end of 2022, surpassing the initial 42% target.