The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, has sought partnership with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) to develop and commercialized technological products for the oil and gas industry.

Wabote stated this at the 7th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Confidence (SAIPEC), currently holding in Lagos with the theme “Harnessing a Sustainable African Energy Industry Through Partnership”.

“Let’s partner with you to develop, test, validate or commercialized products or tools that will boost the PETAN’s seal as one of your notable contributions to the oil and gas industry,” Wabote said.

The NCDMB Boss noted that with its Research and Development Fund, the Board is already making progress in the development and commercialization of gasoline and smoke detector, among others, and called on PETAN to join NCDMB  in research and development.

“Our collaboration with industry practitioners and various stakeholder groups have led us into a remarkable performance in implementation of our 10 year strategic roadmap, currently at 54 percent of Nigerian content out of the 70 percent Nigerian content target by the year 2027,” Wabote said.

He expressed happiness  that the performance of the NCDMB is being recognized within the African continent and by  global institutions.

Wabote said that the Board will continue to render support to assist African nations based on referrals and direct contacts as they develop their unique local content frameworks.

He  challenged PETAN   to work with the AfCFTA leadership and AfCFTA office in Nigeria  to expand the conference.

“And my challenge to them is to see how they can incorporate AfCFTA and the leadership of AfCFTA in Nigeria on how to expand this conference,” he said.

“I commend all members and the current and past executives of PETAN for keeping the flatline since the formation of the association in 2005. You have grown your members over the years and it was a delight to be part of the dignitaries that commissioned your head office  late last year.

“The association was formed to bring together the Nigerian oil and gas entrepreneurs to create a forum for the exchange of ideas with the major operators and policymakers,” Wabote said.

“I believe you’re more than just a group of businessmen or service providers looking for contracts or leases of equipment imported from overseas. It is high time that we see PETAN owned technology patented, driven and supported by PETAN to be recognized nationally and internationally.”

Wabote who spoke on “Sub-Saharan  Africa  Local Content Collaboration Strategy”, called for collaboration strategy among oil producers in Sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of  legal framework, funding, infrastructure, human capacity development, and research and development.