General
Senate Pledges Adequate Support for Local Content Development
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has announced plans to provide adequate legislative support to drive the local content development initiatives of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Joel Onowakpo Thomas, who spoke after an oversight visit on the board facilities and projects sites within Bayelsa State commended the board for how it has implemented its enabling statute, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
The Senator said NCDMB has demonstrated the requisite capacity for actualisation of the objectives of the Act, and that the enabling environment for oil and gas industry operations, growth of indigenous businesses, job creation and development of industry-related skills, would be vigorously pursued by the Committee at the National Assembly.
The Chairman reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to growing local capacity in the oil and gas and other sectors as a sure way of creating employment.
In his word, “ let me say that the benefits of local content cannot be over emphasize. It will lead to the creation of jobs for our people, development of critical assets and skills , growth of local businesses, improve balance of payments and reduction of dependence on foreign goods services.
“To achieve these benefits, collaborations between the Senate committee and board of the NCDMB is essential as we would work closely with the NCDMB to ensure that the provisions of the Act are implemented effectively.
“The committee will not only ensure oversight but will also support the board’ in efforts to develop and implement policies that promote local content development, in addition to our collaboration with the board, we will engaged with other stakeholders and create the enabling environment that foster growth for local businesses and promote job creation.” Mr Onowakpo concluded.
Speaking on the Nigerian Content Implementation Framework, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr Felix Ogbe, highlighted Guidelines and Regulations, drawing attention to policies and tools, which included Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualifications System (NOGIC JQS), Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), industry collaboration, as well as gap analysis, among other things.
Represented by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Abdulmalik Halilu, he disclosed the board’s has recorded success in the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI) with over ninety percent repayment.
Mr Halilu highlighted some recent striking accomplishments of the Board as facilitating of 10,000 metric tonnes (MT) capacity galvanising plant, commissioned at Daewoo Yard, Port Harcourt, which has ramped up local galvanizing capacity to over 180,000MT; NEDO 300 MMscfd Kwale Gas Gathering Plant, Delta State; NCDMB Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) at Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State, and Odukpani, Cross River State, which are at 90 per cent completion level;10 mega watt Power Plant, and EGINA floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) integration facility, the first and largest in Africa.
Speaking on the next phase, Mr Halilu highlighted the board’s ongoing construction of the NCDMB Gas Hub for gas-based industries and the work on its eight industrial parks across the country as well as the human capacity development programme christened Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative.
He asked the legislatures to support the board by excluding of the Nigerian Content Development Fund from revenue deductions in line with Section 104 of the NOGICD Act.
He also added that the board would also want the challenge of infrastructure to be addressed as well as a strengthening of local content laws by ensuring that legislations for the growth of other sectors are properly aligned with local content philosophy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of tax deduction and non-remittance fraud linked to the NLNG Train 7 project.
Train 7 is a major expansion project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility on Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. It involves building a seventh “train” (processing unit) at the LNG plant to significantly increase Nigeria’s LNG production capacity and strengthen the country’s role as a global supplier of cleaner energy.
NAPO’s President General, Mr Harold Benstowe, alongside four other officials, appeared at the EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office in Port Harcourt, to adopt a petition accusing Daewoo Engineering & Construction Nigeria and others of alleged unlawful tax deductions from workers on the multibillion-dollar NLNG Train 7 gas plant construction project.
According to NAPO, the EFCC received the delegation and guided them through the formal adoption of the petition, paving the way for what the union described as a “proper forensic investigation” into the alleged financial misconduct.
“The EFCC has assured the victims that it will conduct a thorough investigation to get to the root of the matter,” Mr Benstowe said, describing the development as a major step toward accountability in the construction segment of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It also raised that the allegations strike at the heart of compliance risks surrounding one of Nigeria’s most strategic gas investments, with potential implications for contractors, regulators and investor confidence in large-scale energy projects.
Mr Benstowe called on workers involved in the NLNG Train 7 project to actively support the investigation by submitting documentary evidence, particularly payslips allegedly showing tax deductions by Daewoo E&C Nigeria.
“We encourage all affected workers to freely come forward with more evidence to assist the EFCC in carrying out a comprehensive investigation,” he said.
He also dismissed reports of intimidation, warning that the union would resist any attempts to suppress whistleblowers.
“All victims should ignore threats or discouragement from any quarters. This is no longer business as usual. We are prepared for a big showdown to ensure everyone involved is brought to book,” Mr Benstowe declared.
The NAPO leader framed the petition as part of a broader struggle for financial transparency and workers’ rights in Nigeria’s oil and gas construction value chain, stressing that the outcome would send a strong signal to contractors operating on high-value energy projects.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has unveiled its institutional brand identity as it officially transition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the newly established revenue collection agency as gazetted.
The transition was marked with the unveiling of the agency’s new logo, according to a statement from Mr Dare Adekanmbi, special adviser to the chairman of NRS, Mr Zacch Adedeji.
Speaking at the unveiling event in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Adedeji said the new identity represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.
The taxman said the unveiling reflects a renewed commitment to a more unified, efficient, and service-oriented revenue system aligned with Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda and global best practices.
He said the new identity signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.
According to the statement, the NRS said it remains committed to transparency, partnership, and service excellence.
“The unveiling of this new identity represents not an end, but the beginning of a strengthened relationship between the revenue authority and the Nigerian public—built on trust, clarity, and shared prosperity,” the statement reads.
It was also stated that the service came into operation following the signing of its enabling law — the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 — by President Bola Tinubu in June.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government says it has taken a decisive step to unlock Ondo State’s maritime and industrial potential with the revalidation of the Ondo Deep Sea Port licence, signalling fresh momentum for trade, jobs, and investment in the South-West state.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, formally presented the revalidated certificate to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State at his office in Abuja, noting that the revalidation served as a major milestone and a strategic federal intervention to harness the state’s vast blue economy resources.
He said the deep sea port would serve as a catalyst for trade expansion, industrialisation and regional economic integration, in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.
“The Ondo Deep Sea Port is not just a project for Ondo State; it is a national asset that will boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in global shipping, ease congestion at existing ports and create a new hub for exports, manufacturing and job creation,” Mr Oyetola said.
He added that the port’s Atlantic corridor location would enhance non-oil exports, improve the ease of doing business and attract foreign direct investment to the South-West and the wider economy.
According to him, the revalidated licence provides clarity and confidence for investors, reinforcing Nigeria’s readiness for large-scale maritime investments.
Receiving the certificate, Mr Aiyedatiwa thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approving the revalidation, describing it as the outcome of years of sustained effort.
He explained that the original licence had faced delays due to a naming error in the initial business case, necessitating a fresh and comprehensive submission.
“This revalidated certificate is a turning point for Ondo State, affirming our vision for industrial growth, job creation and sustainable development anchored on our coastline and maritime assets,” the governor said.
Mr Aiyedatiwa said his administration was prioritising supporting infrastructure, including the dualisation of access roads to industrial zones and modernisation projects.
He added that plans were also underway for residential, educational and hospitality facilities to support the anticipated influx of investors and workers.
The governor reaffirmed that the port and its ancillary projects would drive inclusive development across all local government areas of the state.
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