By Dipo Olowookere
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote, has promised that his agency will give protection to any Nigerian firm investing in hi-tech assets as well as a level playing field to bid and win contracts in the oil and gas industry.
Mr Wabote gave this assurance during a recent facility visit to Hydrodive Limited’s yard in Lagos.
Speaking during the visit, the content board chief stated that NCDMB will support such companies to ensure that they get good returns on their investments.
The NCDMB boss, who was represented by the General Manager, Project and Operations Division, NCDMB, Mr Paul Zuhumben, highlighted Section 3(2) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act which provides that first consideration will be given to Nigerian indigenous companies that demonstrate ownership of equipment, personnel and capacity to execute jobs.
He commended Hydrodive for taking advantage of the Board’s Marine Vessel Strategy and advised the company to join the relevant committee of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF) and use the platform to advance its peculiar positions.
In his presentation, the Deputy Managing Director, Hydrodive, Mr Lanre Okubajo, acknowledged the opportunities provided by the Nigerian Content Act. He noted that the company took advantage of the law to grow its assets base, which now includes seven vessels, two saturation diving systems and 14 deep Air packages. He also disclosed that the company had concluded the refurbishing of SPDC Buoy 17021 and it will sail away in the coming week.
In his words, “Local Content gave us a great deal of encouragement and helped our operations. To us, local content is not only the right thing, it is the most commercial option to engage in.”
Mr Okubajo however canvassed the need for the Board to engage relevant authorities to establish diving training facilities in-country with requisite international certifications. He said there were skill gaps in saturation diving which is presently dominated by expatriates.
