The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled seven (7) ministerial regulations that will provide a proper framework for monitoring the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
The regulations were approved by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva in April 2021 and were publicly unveiled at the Nigerian Content Seminar held at the recently concluded 2022 Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote explained that the regulations were made in line with section 40 of the NOGICD Act, which empowers the Minister to make them with a view to establishing the minimum standards in facilities, personnel, and technology for training in the oil and gas industry.
He noted that the Regulation on Training in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry provides for “the minimum standards, facilities, personnel, and technology for training in the oil and gas industry and modalities for involving operators and service providers as partners in training and development”, while the Regulation for the Further Growth of Indigenous Capacity sets out targets to ensure full utilization and steady growth of indigenous companies engaged in exploration, seismic data processing, reservoir studies and other facilities.
He added that the regulation for the Further Growth of Indigenous Capacity reinforces the principle of First Consideration for Nigerian-made goods and services and details compliance waiver management and the deployment of Capacity Development Initiatives (CDI’s) as a tool for the growth of indigenous capacity.
He also explained that the third Regulation which borders on the Registration of Oil and Gas Professionals with Nigerian Professional Bodies stipulates the requirements for any operator or company or professional employee, including expatriates, engaged for any professional service within the industry to register with relevant professional bodies.
Similarly, he explained that the Regulation for the Establishment of Operations in Nigeria 2021 requires an operator to set up facilities or other operations within Nigeria for the purposes of carrying out any services otherwise imported into Nigeria.
This particular regulation he said, “is meant to fully involve the operators in the eradication importation of goods by jointly developing CDI’s to close identified gaps and stipulates the procedure for securing tax and other fiscal incentives for compliant operators.”
The Executive Secretary further explained that the Regulation for Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Technology Transfer promotes the development of technology in the Nigerian oil and gas industry through the transfer of technology to Nigeria and to establish guidelines, standard and methods for such technology transfer.
Furthermore, the Regulation for Nigerian Oil and Gas Research and Development provides the requirements and targets for the growth of Research and Development in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
He stated that “the regulation stipulates the power of the Board to regulate research, supervise Research clusters and Centers of Excellence, Protection of intellectual property, partnership for Research and Development, Implementation of Research findings, and funding of Research and Development.”
Providing more details, Wabote explained that the Regulation for Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Enforcement and Compliance provides for direct sanctions for breach, without the need to apply section 68 of the Act that would have required a criminal trial.
He stressed that “this regulation addresses failure to submit Nigerian Content Plan, failure to obtain Certificate of Authorization, failure to give First Consideration and comply with minimum Nigerian Content, expatriate quota violations, failure to submit mandatory information and documents, failure to make remittance to the Board on any contract awarded, failure to engage Nigerian legal practitioner firm, failure to retain the services of a Nigerian Financial Institution, Operators liability, the liability of Directors and officers of a company, liability of third parties, and several others.”
Speaking in a panel session on the implementation of the Enforcement and Compliance Regulation, the Head Legal Services Directorate NCDMB, Barr. Naboth Onyesoh explained that regulations are subsidiary legal instruments made by the executive arm of government or by its ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to support the implementation of their enabling law.
He added that Nigerian Content regulations have direct nexus with sections of the NOGICD Act and are designed to support the Board in the implementation of key sections of the Act.
The NCDMB also used the Nigerian Content Seminar to present the Oil and Gas Insurance Guidelines developed in collaboration with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), to guide the insurance of assets and liabilities in the oil and gas industry.
Sections 49 and 50 of the NOGICD Act require players in the Nigerian oil and gas activities to engage local insurance companies for insuring their assets and liabilities.
Unveiling the guidelines in company with the Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM, Mr. Sunday Thomas, the Executive Secretary stated that “the guidelines will contribute significantly towards promoting the development of insurance services in-country and driving the retention of financial spending in Nigeria thereby contributing towards reversing capital flight. According to him, “the guideline will also help to create a database of all insurance programs procured by operators, project promoters, alliance partners, and Nigerian indigenous companies, to enable the Board to monitor utilization of in-country insurance capacity.” He emphasized that “any in-country value retention realized from the insurance sector will further enhance the delivery of our 70 percent Nigerian Content target by the year 2027.”
He hinted that the goal of the regulations and guidelines are not to create additional impediments but to create job opportunities and in-country value retention to address threats to our socio-economic stability.
The 2022 NOG conference and exhibition started on Sunday with an invitational golf tournament sponsored by the NCDMB and held at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja. The tournament featured golfers from the oil and gas sector and friends of the industry.
The tournament was the second edition sponsored by the Board and the Executive Secretary stated that the goal was to warm up all attendees to the conference.
He noted that the NOG “is a gathering of all oil and gas practitioners, operators and contractors and stakeholders, so we start the conference with a golf tournament to warm up everybody. The intent is also to bring alive the game of golf, to make it popular among oil and gas workers because they work hard. “We want to encourage them to play golf to keep fit.”
Overriding Public Interest: Delta warns against impeding govt projects
DAN DENT (ASABA)
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Delta State Government has cautioned citizens against impeding projects meant to serve the general public, saying such actions were illegal and constituted an abuse of the law.
Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze (middle) discussing with the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir. Festus Ahon (right) shortly after Inspecting the maintaininers of Uti Road on Wednesday, while the Project Manager Mr. Milad Boutros (left) look on. PIX: SAMUEL JIBUNOR.
The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, gave the warning in Effurun on Wednesday during an inspection of the DSC Roundabout Link Road to PTI Junction.
According to him, “no citizen is bigger than the state; I learnt that a citizen has said a particular portion of the road that has been approved cannot be constructed because that is his private property.
“I want to sound it to our people as a note of warning, that, to impede government project in the name of private property is an abuse of the law.
“If your property is on the right of way and we know it is not a road, this administration has made it a point of duty to pay compensation for the use of such properties in the overriding public interest.
“This project has an overriding public interest; if your property is in the right of way and your property has approval, the best we can do, as we have always done, is to give you compensation.
“But to say you stop government officials from doing their job because you feel you are bigger than the government or you are bigger than the law is absolutely unacceptable.”
Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze (right) taking the measurements of the Rod while the zonal Chief Engineer Uvwie and Opke local government Area, Engr. Kporon Ennah (left) look on. PIX: SAMUELm JIBUNOR.
Speaking further, he said; “so, we are constructing a drainage that would discharge all the water on this road. If you look at this place, it was originally a swamp.
“Meanwhile, this place had all along been intended to be a road that should take traffic from the East-West Road to reduce the volume of traffic on DSC Roundabout and PTI Junction straight to the Eku highway.
“We have come to see what the contractors are doing and I must express my displeasure at the poor quality of engineering work that I have observed here in this drainage.
“In fact, as things stand, considering the volume of water that will be coming from the Julius Berger projects, the existing volume of water from the swamp.
“What is being done here, therefore, necessitates that this drain be done according to the engineering specifications because the volume of water we will be dealing with is enormous.
“However, on getting down here and measuring the distance between the reinforcements, we discovered that the contractor apparently did not pay attention to details.
“So, I have instructed them to remove everything, start afresh and we will come back. They should not put the reinforcement until I have come to inspect what they have done to be sure that they have complied with the spacing as provided for in the Bills of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation.”
Brutality Victim: Anambra State Executive Council Approves Medical Expenses of Victim
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo undertakes the medical expenses of a victim of brutality by some contractors of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Mr. Okechukwu Akaneme.
Soludo
The governor took this humanitarian decision to relieve the victim while strongly denouncing such despicable conduct. In addition to the governor’s gesture, the contractor has been relieved of his engagement with the state agency (ASWAMA) immediately, to serve as a deterrent to others.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, the victim who was assaulted is being hospitalised.
The Council has resolved to pick up his medical overheads, while sympathising with Akaneme ‘s family and prays for his quick recovery.
This profound empathy reflects Soludo’s sincere dedication to offering not just solutions but also a genuine commitment to providing helping hands, support, and hope to the people whenever and wherever required in the state.
END
Press Release
Anambra State Executive Council Awards More Road Contracts
The 37th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has awarded the contracts for the construction of new roads in the state in preparation for the yuletide season.
This is aimed at ensuring a memorable Christmas for Ndi Anambra, who will be celebrating the season in the state, from across the country and other parts of the globe.
In a release by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, ANSEC at its 37th Meeting, approved the construction of the 3.75 km Igwe Orizu Road, in Nnewi, to New Idea Construction Company Ltd, and to be completed within six months.
The 10.8 km Nkwor Nnewi to Nkwor Oraifite was awarded to Infratech Construction Ltd at N7.2 billion, with a 12-month completion timeline, while the Oraukwu-Abatete-Nimo bypass in Idemili North measuring 4.922km was awarded to GMG Global Construction and Development Company Ltd, with a delivery date of six months.
At the meeting, the Council observed that many roads awarded at the last executive council meeting, including the New Tarzan Road and the three roads whose contracts were revoked and re-awarded, have not been reported.
Recently, Governor Soludo kept his promise with the completion of the 12.5km Ezira-Umuomaku-Enugu Umuonyia-Achina Road, linking several communities, and the 11.9km Mmiata-Anam-Nzam road, linking the headquarters of Anambra West Local Government Area (LGA).
With the ongoing and completed road projects in the state, Governor Soludo has literally turned Anambra into a construction site in his pursuit of transforming the state into a country-wide destination brand.
LAWMA HOLDS 2024 CHRISTMAS CAROL/END OF THE YEAR THANKS-GIVING
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has held its annual Christmas Carol and End of the year thanksgiving service, to appreciate God for his goodness and blessings in the out-going year.
The event took place at the authority’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, witnessed by LAWMA’s management team, staff, neighbours, friends and well-wishers.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, thanked God for his mercies and blessings upon the workers of the authority in the out-going year despite challenges.
He said “Today is not a day for speeches but a day for praises and thanksgiving. I appreciate God for his mercies and blessings upon the staff of LAWMA, and I pray he will continue to preserve us as we dedicate our time to service.”
Also, he appreciated members of staff for their support, encouraging them to keep up the good work.
While wishing Lagos residents a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year, he urged residents to always carry out their own obligations towards the environment, and to support the efforts of the authority, in maintaining a clean and liveable Lagos city.
The Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, thanked God for preserving the lives of LAWMA staff, and for making them witness this year’s thanks-giving service, noting that it was important to keep praising God.
He acknowledged the efforts of Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin towards improving waste management operations in the state, to achieve a people-friendly environment.
Delivering a sermon on the event’s theme, “With a grateful heart”, the chapel’s president, Mr. Olawumi Oluwaseyi, urged people to always express gratitude to God, for consistent protection from danger, as he committed every member of the authority into God’s hands, seeking for his grace and mercy.
The first Bible reading of the day was by the LAWMA boss, taken from the book of Genesis 3:8-15, while the second reading was from Genesis 22:15-18, by the executive director Finance.
Other management staff who read Bible passages included Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, head, Public Affairs; Mr. Adewumi Adetona, head, Advocacy; Dr. Essien Nsuabia, head, Waste Management Development Research; Mrs. Opayemi Abimbola, head, Commercial Services; Mrs. Bola Adewumi, head, LAWMA Academy; Dr. Modupe Okoh, head, Medical Services, Health and Safety; among others.
The high point of the event was the special song ministration by the guest minister, Sarah Apekeola; rendition of hymns and songs by the Emmanuel Chapel choir, as well as choreographic ministration by the chapel’s children.