NUPRC Boss Seeks Sustainability Of Nigerian Content In Oil, Gas Sector

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe has called for the development of strategies for the sustainability of Nigerian content policies in the oil and gas sector on Tuesday at the ongoing 10th Practical Nigerian Content 2021 Conference in Yenagoa.

The conference, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has a theme: "Driving Nigerian Content in the New Dawn of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)”.

Komolafe said President Muhammadu Buhari’ssigning into law of the PIA had brought the much-desired stability to the Nigerian oil and gas industry, which would boost investors’ confidence.

He said the enactment of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act had helped the development of indigenous capacity, the resurgence of new businesses, the creation of jobs and the retention of wealth in the country.

Komolafe said despite these achievements, it was critical for stakeholders to devise strategies to optimise business recovery and sustainability of Nigerian Content policies in a post-pandemic era.

“This is to foster economic growth and development in the energy sector and the oil and gas value-chain for the benefit of all Nigerians and our stakeholders,” he added.

Komolafe maintained that the commission was committed to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s huge hydrocarbon resources in the overriding interest of the country.

To this end, he said the NUPRC would continue to enable upstream businesses and create additional revenue streams for the government and the investors, for the development of Nigeria’s socio-economic infrastructure.

He said: “As we forge ahead, it is critical for the global oil and gas industry to remain efficient and innovative in responding to the emergence of renewables, to sustain the relevance of hydrocarbon resources in the global energy mix.

“Local content development and research is a major driver of most productive economies and a trigger for socio-economic development,"

“It is a multi-professional area that requires all stakeholders to be closely synergised for effectiveness towards achieving national goals and objectives.”

Earlier, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote said that the Practical Nigerian Content Conference was aimed at giving stakeholders the opportunity to discuss how to improve local content in the oil and gas industry.

Wabote listed some of the achievements of the board to include the establishment of the Nigerian Content Research and Development Council and the 10-year strategic roadmap.

He said it also includes the creation of a $50 million dollars research and development fund, support for local and indigenous research breakthroughs among others.