… shares local content experience with Uganda energy officials
“African oil-producing countries cannot achieve enough when they operate in silos,” Halilu, NCDMB Director
Oredola Adeola
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called on African oil-producing countries to adopt a pan-African approach to local content development. The NCDMB emphasized that deeper regional integration would significantly benefit African oil and gas producers, achievable only through collaborative efforts rather than isolation.
Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, highlighted this during a meeting with key officials from the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) at the Nigerian Content Tower in Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In his address, Alhaji Halilu expressed optimism that the visit would foster mutually beneficial collaboration between Nigeria and Uganda in oil and gas operations. Citing the resource base of African countries in hydrocarbons, he noted that while the prospects are promising, structured partnerships are essential for maximizing these resources.
“African oil-producing countries cannot achieve enough when they operate in silos,” Halilu stated, emphasizing the necessity of a pan-African orientation towards local content.
He suggested that African oil and gas producers could enhance regional integration through value chain optimization.
Halilu also addressed industry challenges, highlighting the need for appropriate technologies and significant investment in marine vessels, particularly as Nigeria moves to deep offshore operations. He advocated for a financing model that enables African countries to acquire the necessary assets.
He described the interactions between UNOC and NCDMB officials as a knowledge exchange, expressing hope for future exchange programs between the training institutes of both countries.
He noted the support of political leadership in both countries for these initiatives.
Mrs. Jessica Kyeyune, National Content Specialist of UNOC, echoed the importance of strategic partnerships. She noted the numerous opportunities in Uganda’s oil and gas sector and expressed gratitude for the warm reception and comprehensive engagement planned by NCDMB, which she believed would facilitate adequate exposure to critical aspects of local content implementation and enforcement.
Kyeyune emphasized that Uganda, as a new entrant in oil and gas operations, could greatly benefit from Nigeria’s experience in local content management. “We appreciate what you’ve shared with us, and we look forward to collaboration,” she added.
During the visit, presentations by NCDMB personnel covered essential aspects of the Board’s operations, including the structure and operations of NCDMB, local content-leading practices, supplier development, joint venture partnerships, staff retention incentives, expatriate management, the NCDMB financing model, and the Monitoring and Evaluation Operation Framework.
The UNOC officials also toured NCDMB’s Nigeria Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOPaPS) at Emeyal-1, Ogbia Local Government Area, acquainting them with the Board’s strategy to minimize capital flight by ensuring local production of equipment, spare parts, and tools used in the oil and gas industry.
The four-member UNOC delegation stated that they were in Nigeria to learn and that their country stands to gain substantially from Nigeria’s experience in local content development.
