By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Senate Committee on Local Content said yesterday that it would partner with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to implement its functions.
The Committee’s chairman, Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo (Delta South), stated this at its inaugural meeting.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) formerly chaired the panel before she was moved to the Committee on the Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Joel-Onowakpo said NCDMB will serve as a veritable platform for the Committee to achieve its aims, which are stated in order 96 of the Senate Standing Rules.
He said, “The mandate of this committee as stipulated in order 96 of the Senate standing orders 2023 as amended is clear and unambiguous. It ensures that Nigerians benefit maximally from the country’s natural resources.
“Order 96: Specifically, the jurisdiction of the Committee shall include Nigerian Content Development; Monitoring Board (NCDMB); Matters relating to local capacity development; and Transfer of technology in oil and gas industries.
“It shall also include Matters of local content and transfer of technology in other mature industries such as construction, power, railway, ICT, etc; Issues relating to the patronage of local manpower; receiving annual performance reports of the Nigerian Local Content; and annual budget estimates.
“The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) plays a vital role in achieving these aims. Therefore, collaboration between this committee and NCDMB is essential as we will work closely with NCDMB to ensure that the provisions of the NOGICD Act are implemented effectively.
“The Committee will not only provide oversight, but it will also support the Board in its efforts to develop and implement policies that promote Local content development.
“Besides our collaboration with the Board, we will engage with other stakeholders, including operators, service providers, and local businesses. The committee will create an enabling environment that fosters the growth of local businesses and promotes job creation.”
In hitting the ground running, the committee resolved to embark on an oversight visit to NCDMB’s head office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from Wednesday to Friday next week.
