By Sandra Chukwunyere
A high-level delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), led by the country’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, Simplice Stev Onanga, has commenced a study tour of Nigeria’s local content framework for the oil and gas industry.
The delegation arrived in Nigeria to gain first-hand knowledge of the policies, institutions and strategies that have supported the growth of local participation in the country’s petroleum sector, according to a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Dr. Obinna Ezeobi.
The delegation was received in Abuja on Monday by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sharing its local content experience with other African oil-producing countries.
Lokpobiri said Nigeria had achieved about 61 per cent local content capacity since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 16 years ago.
He said the divestment of some onshore oil and gas assets by international oil companies had also created opportunities for indigenous companies to expand their participation in the sector.
The minister cited Renaissance Africa Energy Company, SEPLAT Energy Producing Unlimited and Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited among companies that had acquired divested assets.
“The solution to Africa’s energy challenges lies within Africa,” Lokpobiri said, adding that Nigeria currently produces more than 1.8 million barrels of crude oil per day.
He explained that while international companies still have a strong presence in deep offshore operations, Nigerian operating and oilfield service companies have continued to strengthen their participation in land and shallow-water operations.
According to him, Nigeria’s local content programme is supported by industry funding through the one per cent Nigerian Content Development Fund levy imposed on awarded upstream oil and gas contracts.
Representing the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, said the Board was prepared to support the DRC in developing a robust local content framework.
He highlighted Nigeria’s institutional structures, regulatory coordination and strategic planning as key elements of the country’s local content development.
Halilu also noted that the NCDMB’s 10-year strategic roadmap is aimed at achieving 70 per cent in-country value retention and creating more than 300,000 direct jobs by 2027.
Onanga commended Nigeria for its progress in developing local capacity in the oil and gas industry.
He said the DRC delegation was interested in learning from Nigeria’s experience and understanding the practical steps taken to build local capabilities.
“We are proud to be in Nigeria to witness what has been accomplished,” Onanga said.
The study tour will continue until Friday, with the delegation scheduled to visit several oil and gas facilities and institutions.
The programme includes visits to the NCDMB headquarters in Bayelsa State, fabrication workshops at the Onne Free Zone, an NLNG supplier engagement session and the University of Port Harcourt Gas Centre.
The delegation will also visit the LADOL and Nigerdock yards, alongside other engagements designed to expose the team to Nigeria’s local content implementation and industry development initiatives.
