NCDMB, Wabote lauded over planned creation of 300,000 jobs, increased local content participation

By Timi Black
Chief Correspondent

A pro- Niger Delta advocacy group, under the auspices of Niger Delta Oil Communities Agenda, NIDOCA, has commended the vision of Engr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary and Management of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB, to create 300,000 direct jobs in the oil and gas industry by 2027.

This was disclosed in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Emma Akpovoka, on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State.

According to the group, the gesture is encouraging, adding that Niger Delta stakeholders should support Engr. Simbi Wabote and NCDMB to achieve the vision.

It would be recalled that Engr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, had at a media parley in Lagos, disclosed that NCDMB would create 300,000 directs jobs by 2027, and also intended to increase local content to 70 per cent in the next five years.

The group, also appreciated President Muhammmadu Buhari and Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources for ensuring that NCDMB is being accorded the necessary supports and the enabling environment to efficiently pursuing and effectively achieving its mandate

“As stakeholders in the oil-rich Niger Delta, we are already looking at positive impacts, the socio-economic benefits of having additional 300,000 jobs that will be created by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). It is a vision that must be supported to become a reality. Nigerians and indeed the people of Niger Delta region would be the beneficiaries”.

The group, said:” It is worth celebrating and commendable as disclosed by Engr. Wabote, that Nigeria has moved from near zero participation in the oil and gas sector to the point that Nigerian indigenous operators are now responsible for 15 per cent of our oil production and 60 per cent of our domestic gas supply.”

“We give kudos to Engr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary and management of NCDMB for the increased in-country value retention from 26 per cent in 2016 to 42 per cent in 2022. We fully support NCDMB’s plan to ensure 70 per cent Nigerian Content; the domiciliation of major fabrication yards and manufacturing hubs in-country”.

The group, noted that the since the establishment of NCDMB, more local and indigenous players and operators in Nigeria and particularly Niger Deltans have been given opportunities for participation and to excel in the oil and gas sector, adding that stakeholders should continue to support the agency.