NCDMB Parleys Chevron, Recommits To Fast-Track Approvals Of Oil Industry Projects

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has restated its commitment to accelerated approvals of requests and documents submitted to it by operating oil and gas companies.

The goal is to ensure the speedy development of oil and gas projects and contribute to increased oil production and improved national economy.

The Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe gave the assurance at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, when he received senior officials from Chevron Nigeria Limited led by the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Cosmas Iwueze.

The Executive Secretary conveyed the Board’s willingness to improve on the timelines set by the Service Level Agreement (SLA) instituted by the Board, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd) and international oil companies for shortening the contracting cycle for oil and gas projects.

He reiterated his proposal for the setting up of technical working groups (TWGs) between the representatives of the NCDMB and respective international oil firms.

The working groups could meet monthly or quarterly to evaluate the companies’ expectations from the NCDMB on their projects.

The intent, he explained, is “to resolve contentious issues, close all the gaps and come to an agreement before the official correspondences are received. That will ensure quick turn-around and approvals will be dealt with quickly, and that will help to cut downtime.”

Emphasising the need for all oil and gas companies to comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, the Executive Secretary promised that the Board will accede to cogent urgent requests from companies to avoid delays that could cause costs overruns, impact negatively on oil and gas operations and the economy at large.

He encouraged the companies to see NCDMB as partners in progress, adding that “we want to create the enabling environment that will minimize conflicts with international oil companies (IOCs) and attract investments into the sector.

“We want to create employment opportunities for our youths and help achieve the economic objectives of President Bola Tinubu. We want to make international oil companies comfortable and reverse the exit of foreign investors because they create jobs, and we need all hands on the deck.”

The Executive Secretary confirmed that NCDMB, under his watch, will not emphasise the use of sanctions. Rather, will seek to dialogue with companies to achieve win-win situations.

“We will be flexible regarding your requests, but we all need to have open minds and look at the critical paths that will ensure that we make progress and produce effectively,” he said.

.