NCDMB and Ghana’s Petroleum Commission Launch Technical Cooperation to Enhance Local Content Development.
In a move to strengthen local content development across Africa’s oil and gas sector, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has initiated a five-day knowledge-sharing program with the Petroleum Commission of Ghana.
The program, which began on Monday in Lagos, aims to establish technical cooperation between the two bodies, leveraging NCDMB’s extensive experience and best practices.
The primary goal of this engagement is to support the Petroleum Commission of Ghana in creating a robust framework that enhances compliance and deepens local content within Ghana’s oil and gas industry. The initiative is part of NCDMB’s broader commitment to fostering local content development across African oil-producing nations.
The program kicked off with a courtesy visit to NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, at the Board’s liaison office in Lagos. Engr. Ogbe welcomed the Ghanaian delegation and reaffirmed NCDMB’s dedication to advancing local content in Africa.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, NCDMB’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, emphasized the importance of collaboration among African oil-producing countries. He noted that the industry’s technological and financial challenges cannot be effectively addressed if countries work in isolation.
Halilu advocated for the development of unique and specialized capabilities within African nations to facilitate intra-continental trade and bolster the African economy, aligning with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Throughout the week, NCDMB officials will share insights into the Board’s strategies and operational frameworks, including supplier development initiatives, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS), and the agency’s overall structure and operations.
Other presentations will focus on topics such as Nigerian Content planning, research and statistics, succession planning, the Nigerian Joint Qualification System (NJQS), human capacity building, and the Nigerian Content Equipment Certification (NCEC).
The discussions will also explore the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) operating framework, the Projects Certification and Authorization Division (PCAD) templates, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and community content guidelines, among others.
Key industry stakeholders such as the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Project 100 companies, and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) will also participate in the sessions.
The engagement will conclude on Friday with NCDMB and the Petroleum Commission of Ghana reviewing a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) and protocols for data sharing.
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This collaboration builds on similar initiatives NCDMB has undertaken with Uganda’s National Oil Company (UNOC) and Mozambique’s national oil company, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), earlier this year.
NCDMB’s efforts to support Africa’s petroleum industry are driven by its 10-year strategic roadmap, which includes sectoral and regional linkages as a key pillar.
As part of this initiative, NCDMB has partnered with the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) to organize workshops, including the inaugural session in 2021, where the concept of an African Energy Bank was first proposed.
This idea has since materialized, with the Energy Bank now fully established and headquartered in Abuja under APPO’s leadership.
