By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is dangling incentives in front of oil and gas firms, alongside other value chain providers in the industry, for the operations of oil and gas parks around the country.
The oil and gas park scheme is a purpose-built industrial park with manufacturing shop floors and factories, warehouses, training centres, mini estates, truck parking and holding spaces, fire stations, administrative blocks, and security services, among other things, and is a critical initiative of the board geared towards in-country capacity development through local manufacture of equipment components and spare parts required in the oil and gas industry.
According to the board, two of the parks at Odukpani, Cross River State, and at Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State, are at 99 per cent completion, and interested companies have begun to take up shop floors, preparatory to the commencement of operations.
Six parks have been conceptualised and are located in different parts of the country, and they form a key part of NCDMB’s strategy for sustainable local content development and industrialisation.
Ahead of their completion, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Mr Patrick Daziba Obah, made this pledge that firms who jump at the opportunity will get a “first mover advantage.”
Speaking on the second day of the 2023 edition of the Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit, he noted that investors are guaranteed to enjoy so many privileges at the $1 billion Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS) facility at Ilaje, Ondo State, currently being developed by the board.
Speaking at a plenary session of the investment summit with a special focus on Port Ondo as Golden Opportunity to Developing Opportunities in Manufacturing/Economic Zones/Logistics Base, Mr Obah said the park, by its proximity, would significantly facilitate the take-off of companies at the proposed deep sea port.
Drawing attention to such facilities as warehouses, a logistics base, office spaces/manufacturing shop floors, and a world-class training centre, which are crucial in the beginning phase of business.
“We have all the oil- and gas-producing companies with us – all the people in the value chain of the oil and gas industry, including hospitality, are with us.” “You won’t have to worry about power; you won’t have to worry about water or security,” he added.
Mr Obah, who was represented by the Acting General Manager, Directorate of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Mr Silas Ajimijaye, lauded the Ondo State Government for its bold initiative in undertaking the project, which aligned with the vision of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
He also thanked the Ondo State Government for “giving the board all support that is necessary for the Park to take off,” particularly in facilitating the Board’s efforts to pay compensation to communities for the land acquired.
