NCDMB To Partner Amnesty Office on Capacity Development

Margaret Nongo-Okojokwu

Col Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd)

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote has pledged the readiness for the Board to partner with Presidential Amnesty Office in area of human capacity development for the ex-agitators.

He made this known when the interim Sole Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd.) paid a courtesy visit to the Board’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, recently.

Wabote explained that some of the trainings provided for the ex- agitators were not conducted by internationally recognized institutions, hence most of the beneficiaries could not be employed with the skills and certificates they acquired.

Stressing the importance of requisite certifications in the oil sector, Wabote said, “the industry is very specific in term of certifications required and if it is not met, you cannot force them to consider another thing”.

Wabote further opined the need for the PAP to diversify its activities to ensure that it meets the purpose for which it was set up and fulfills President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of diversification into agriculture and other allied sectors. He mentioned that the Oil and Gas industry is technology driven hence the number of people it can employ was very limited.

While correcting the misconception about the NCDMB, Wabote stressed that it is not an intervention agency for the Niger Delta region, but regulatory organisation set up to ensure the participation of Nigerians both in the operations of the oil and gas industry as well as coordinate human capacity development in the industry and linkage areas.

“We are not an intervention agency like Amnesty Office or NDDC but a regulatory agency responsible for all Nigerians.

Wabote charged the PAP boss to chart ways and opportunities for programmes that can service the Oil sector including catering, logistics, insurance, among others.

He promised that the Board will partner with the Amnesty office to develop a strategy that will improve the opportunities available for the ex-agitators.

Earlier in his remarks, the interim Sole Administrator of PAP, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd.) mentioned that the aim of the visit was to seek areas of collaboration with the Board on areas of training for the ex- agitators in the region.

In his words, “the amnesty programme has successfully reintegrated about 22,000 ex-agitators with trainings and empowerments in various skills. We seek the Board’s collaboration in specific needs of the oil sector where people can be trained and engaged.”

Dikio reiterated that the PAP aims at transforming the remaining 8000 exagitators to become entrepreneurs to contribute to the national economy.

NCDMB Partners ANOH Gas to Complete Oil and Gas Training Centre In PH

Margaret Nongo-Okojokwu

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has flagged off a partnership arrangement with ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited for the completion of the Center for Skills Development and Training (CSDT) located at Greater Port Harcourt Area, Rivers State.

Construction work at the skills acquisition center had been stalled since 2014 due to paucity of funds after it was conceived by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to train and increase the competence and capabilities of Nigerians to meet the low-to-middle level human resources needs of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote stated that the Board commenced discussions with PTDF in late 2019 on areas of collaboration to complete and operationalize the center.

He explained that Anoh Gas Processing Company (AGPC) Ltd was engaged to complete the project under the NCDMB’s intervention tool known as Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) projects. He said that “CDI projects are utilized in collaboration with operators and service providers in the oil and gas industry to address identified gaps in local capacities and seize opportunities to grow local capabilities.”

The Executive Secretary commended the diligence and pragmatism of AGPC Ltd in identifying with the project as its CDI and re-mobilization of the contractor to site, with a view to completing the skill center in readiness for students’ intake and utilization.

He expressed belief that making the facility functional will promote skills development and attainment of one of the Board’s mandate of developing local capacities and capabilities and the Technical Capacity Development Pillar of the 10-year strategic roadmap.

“Globally, achievement of the local content agenda is hinged on domiciling value-adding activities and this is heavily dependent on locally available skilled manpower. It is in recognition of the critical role that skilled manpower plays in the development of local content that the Board has Technical Capability Development as one of the strategic pillars of its 10-Year Strategic Roadmap.” Wabote said.

Wabote revealed that the completion and utilization of the project will be a major achievement of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and especially President Muhammadu Buhari, who is very keen to finish off abandoned government projects.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Anoh Gas Processing Company Limited, Mr. Okechukwu Mba disclosed that the company decided to partner with the NCDMB to contribute to the development of skilled professionals who will work in the oil and gas sector.

In his words, “I am particularly happy for the benefits the country stands to gain from the completion of this facility. It will produce youths equipped with relevant skills they require to pursue a rewarding career in the oil and gas industry.”

He indicated that the completion of the CSDT was part of the company’s $10m Capacity Development Initiative commitment made on the back of the development of the 300MMscfd capacity ANOH gas processing plant, located on OML 53 in Imo State.

While commending the Board for the importance attached to Capacity Development initiatives, Mba disclosed that the organization is set to work with the Board on other Human Capacity Development programmes.