A high-level delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), led by Minister of Hydrocarbons Simplice Stev Onanga, is currently in Nigeria on a study tour to understudy the country’s local content framework and boost indigenous participation in its petroleum sector.
Welcoming the delegation in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, stated that Nigeria has achieved a 61 per cent local content capacity since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 16 years ago.
Lokpobiri attributed this growth to deliberate government policies, regulatory oversight, and the rising role of indigenous firms. He noted that recent onshore asset divestments by international oil companies have empowered Nigerian firms like Seplat Energy, Oando Energy Resources, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company to take charge of operations.
“The solution to Africa’s energy challenges lies within Africa,” Lokpobiri said, adding that Nigeria’s crude oil production currently exceeds 1.8 million barrels per day. He also explained that the Nigerian Content Development Fund, sustained by a one per cent levy on upstream contracts, serves as a vital model for building industry capacity.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu reaffirmed the board’s commitment to supporting the DRC. He highlighted the NCDMB’s 10-year strategic roadmap, which aims to achieve 70 per cent in-country value retention and create over 300,000 direct jobs by 2027.
Expressing admiration for Nigeria’s achievements, Onanga stated that the DRC delegation intends to adapt relevant strategies to strengthen its own petroleum industry.
The study tour runs through Friday, with scheduled visits to the NCDMB headquarters in Bayelsa State, the Onne Free Zone fabrication yards, the Nigeria LNG facility, the University of Port Harcourt Gas Centre, and LADOL/Nigerdock yards.
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