December 04, (THEWILL) – Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has called on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to prioritise grassroots engagement in its strategies to ensure inclusivity and reflect the aspirations of all Nigerians.
Ewhrudjakpo made this appeal while declaring open the 13th edition of the Practical Nigerian Content Forum, held at the Local Content Towers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Themed “Deepening The Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation,” the event sought to explore innovative approaches to advancing local content in Nigeria.
The Acting Governor, represented by his media aide, Mr. Doubara Atasi, described the forum’s theme as forward-looking and urged participants to move beyond discussions to implementing actionable strategies that would deliver measurable impacts.
“Leveraging technology and empowering local talent will create a vibrant ecosystem that promotes creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development,” he stated.
Ewhrudjakpo praised the NCDMB for its commitment to advancing Nigerian content and fostering innovation in the oil and gas sector, noting that its efforts have laid a solid foundation for excellence.
He reaffirmed Bayelsa State’s commitment to collaborating with the NCDMB and other partners across various sectors, including energy, agriculture, healthcare, and tourism, in line with the state’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda.
“Let us focus on building resilient and sustainable frameworks that enable communities to actively participate in emerging sectors, particularly the digital economy. This will ensure shared prosperity and a future where no one is left behind. Together, we can redefine the landscape of Nigerian content implementation,” he said.
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Ogbe, highlighted key milestones achieved over the past seven years.
These include the commissioning of a new library at Niger Delta University, Amassoma, in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company and other stakeholders, as well as the Kwale Gas Gathering and Injection Facility in Delta State, and a 150-ton LPG plant in Kaduna.
Ogbe also mentioned the inauguration of a gas leak detection facility in Abuja and emphasized the board’s focus on manpower development. He noted that the NCDMB Academy has begun training youths on various aspects of the oil and gas industry and is working to establish zonal offices in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Delta States.
The Practical Nigerian Content Forum continues to serve as a platform for stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to strategize on deepening local content and driving sustainable development across the country.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
