By Ejekwu Chidiebere
Poised for a 70 per cent mark in Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry by 2027, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced its move to work hand in hand with Nigeria’s leading global brand in gas liquefaction – the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, to broaden the scope for participation of community vendors in the industry value chain.
At a workshop with the theme, “NLNG Community Vendors Capacity Development Programme,” attended by no fewer than 90 contractors drawn from the oil and gas producing communities, the full gamut of industry operations in the upstream, midstream and downstream – all had the opportunity to see what the future holds for these communities as key personnel from the NCDMB and NLNG reeled out these strategies.
In the lead presentation by the Manager, Project Certification and Authorization Directorate (PICAD) of the NCDMB, Mr. Elvis Ogede, the community vendors were educated on opportunities such as non-hazardous waste management, sewage evacuation and treatment facilities, office and site cleaning services, provision of unskilled and semi-skilled labour, trenching and minor civil, electrical and mechanical works, procurement works – consumables, office equipment, etc. – and site preparation.
Mr. Ogebe, who represented the Director of PICAD, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele Energy Window International (Journal) had gathered, gave the contractors an inkling on the enablers provided by the Project Certification and Authorization Directorate as part of NCDMB initiatives to eliminate difficulties and encumbrances. The enablers include waivers by way of identifying barriers faced by community vendors and providing exemptions where appropriate, and first consideration for community contractors in every Nigerian Content Plan negotiations.
Other highlights in his paper with the title, “Opportunities and Enablers for Community Vendors in Contracting” included prompt approval of community-fenced contracting strategies and providing community content in all pre-award document reviews.
In another presentation entitled, “Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System,” NCDMB’s Deputy Manager, NOGIC JQS, Mr. Babarinde Victor Olumuyiwa, highlighted key features and procedures for registration on the platform as well as associated benefits, underlining the need for its effective use by community contractors towards enhancing their understanding and participation in industry operations.
Describing the NOGIC JQS as “the sole system for Nigerian Content registration and pre-qualification of contractors in the industry,” he said the user communities comprised operator companies or oil and gas companies engaged in exploration and production of crude oil, service companies, NCDMB Management, and individuals. Key features include marine vessel categorization and certificate of registration.
The platform according to him will foster institutional collaboration between the Board and industry stakeholders, serves as a resource for engaging skilled workforce and a means to training opportunities, while providing the additional benefit of reduced travel and turnaround time.
Mr. Olumuyiwa had also disclosed that over 400,000 individuals, 13,565 service companies and 132 operators have already registered on the NOGIC JQS which was created and regularly updated by the Board. From the Finance and Personnel Management Division of the NCDMB was a presentation on “Financing Opportunities for Development.” The Director of the Division, Mr. Ifeanyi Ukoha, represented by Mr. Erepa Turner, of the same division, said the community contractors financing scheme was put in place to facilitate access to funding by such industry stakeholders, this was while drawing attention to the “Women in Oil and Gas Funding Scheme.”