Ministers, others to discuss local content at NCDMB summit

Industry leaders, including ministers, National Assembly members, as well as oil and gas stakeholders are expected to gather in Yenagoa, Bayelsa for the 2024 edition of the Practical Nigerian Content Conference and Exhibition.

The event is slated to be held from December 2 to 5 at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa.

Themed ’Deepening the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation’, the event will be the 13th edition of the annual conference and exhibition, a signature event hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

In a statement, the NCDMB said the PNC will start on Monday, with a golf tourney at the Henry Seriake Golf and Country Club, Yenagoa and a welcome reception later in the evening.

“The formal opening ceremony will begin at 9 am on Tuesday with speeches by the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr Felix Ogbe and goodwill messages by the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe; the Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mele Kyari.

“Other top officials slated to speak at the 2024 PNC opening ceremony are the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; and their counterpart from the Ministry of Power, Adebayo Adelabu,“ the statement read partly.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, Honourable  Boma Goodhead are also billed to speak at the opening day.

“The first-panel discussion will analyse ’The Next Frontier for Nigerian Content: Divestments and Offshore Opportunities’ and the cast will include the Director Project Certification and Authorisation, NCDMB, Abayomi Bamidele, alongside the Chairman, Chevron Nigeria, Mr Jim Swartz; the Executive Director, TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria, Mr Obi Imemba; the Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Mr Wale Tinubu; and the Managing Director, Aradel Holdings, Engr. Adegbite Falade.

“The second panel will discuss ’Evaluating Financial Strategies for Increased Local Content Implementation’ and some of the discussants will include the Secretary-General, African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation, Dr Omar Ibrahim; the Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi; and the Director  Finance & Personnel Management, NCDMB, Ifeanyi Ukoha,” the statement added.

It was stated that the second day of the conference will also feature panel discussions on topical industry issues.

Major highlights of the 2024 PNC will include the unveiling of new operational policies by the NCDMB and the exhibition of projects and capacities by international and indigenous operating and service oil and gas companies.