Deepening implementation of local content initiative can be sustained by deploying certain programmes such as capacity building initiatives, funding and incentives and research and development, gap analysis, regulatory framework and market access, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote has said.
The NCDMB boss identified these critical steps in a presentation he delivered to the 6th Ugandan International Oil and Gas Summit, which had “Developing a world-class local content structure,” as the theme.
Drawing from the successful implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, he argued that entrenching a sustainable local content practice leads to development, empowerment, prosperity, and creation of employment opportunities for the populace.
According to him, the second factor is a baseline and periodic gap analysis to determine gaps that need to be closed in the areas of skills, facilities and infrastructure.
He added that “the oil and gas industry keeps evolving and regular reviews and monitoring of local content goals show where capacities have been met, current gaps, and where the capacity upgrade is required to guide the deployment of resources and investment decisions.”
He underscored the need to strike a balance between aspirational goals and realistic target setting and to put in place credible action plans and initiatives to close the gaps and understanding that all gaps cannot be closed overnight, hence the need to prioritize areas of high impact and deploy implementation measures.
Wabote also stressed the importance of developing in-country capacities and capabilities, catalysing local manufacturing and infrastructural development as well as Human Capacity Development.
He hinted that implementation of major projects are important in the development of in-country capacities and capabilities, while Capacity Development Initiatives (CDI’s) are important tools in closing identified capacity gaps.
He added that Project-Based training is an important element of Human Capacity Development, while major projects are important to sustain the utilisation of established capacities and attract additional investments for growth.
Wabote pointed out that funding and incentives are important to implanting local content programmes, developing infrastructure, attracting new investments, and keeping existing businesses afloat where required.
Dwelling on funding, Wabote explained that one per cent of the value of contracts awarded in the upstream sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is pooled into the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), adding that the NCDMB had deployed the funds in the launch of the $350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) in partnership with the Bank of Industry and NEXIM Bank.
The Executive Secretary underscored the importance of that Research and Development, hinting that Local Content thrives where there is robust R&D guideline to drive the development of home-grown technology, adding that there is no nation that can develop by being a consumer of other countries’ technology and intellectual properties.
He further revealed that NCDMB had focussed on Research and Development in the oil and gas sector with the launch of the R&D Roadmap anchored on eight key pillars and 42 initiatives and the launch of a $50million Nigerian Content Research & Development Fund to drive basic research, commercialization of research breakthroughs, the establishment of Centers of Excellence, and to sponsor University endowments.
He pointed out that access to the market is also a critical parameter for developing Local Content because all policies, laws, capacities and R&D efforts would become stifled if there was no outlet to receive the reward for growth and sustenance.
Source: guardian
