Some retirees from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have shared the experience with oil firms in the country on hos difficult it was for them to accept the local content policy from the beginning.
The retirees spoke at an event in Yenagoa where they were celebrated by the board for their contributions to the growth of the agency. About 14 of the retirees were honoured with special awards.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Board, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (MED), Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, said the gathering was to celebrate some of the distinguished men and women who had dedicated significant years of their professional lives to the service of the Board and contributed to making NCDMB a leading organisation in the country.
He said the contributions of the retirees extended beyond the duties associated with their respective positions, as they “shared knowledge, built relationships, mentored colleagues and contributed to the institutional experience that continues to shape the Board today.”
Some of those who spoke provided an emotional and memorable moment as https://tnnonline.info/vandalism-threatens-development-nddc-warns-communities/they recounted the professional guidance, mentorship, support and relationships they experienced while working with the retirees.
Among those that were honoured were Dr. Ama Ikuru, former Director Capacity Building, Mr. Adelana Akintunde, former Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr. Obinna Ofili, former Director Finance and Personnel Administration, Mrs. Angela Okoro, former General Manager Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Taridouye Gagariga, former Manager Properties, Mr. Ombu Atonbara, former Manager Audit, Mr. Okpetu Gabriel, former Deputy Manager Capacity Building, and Mr. Peter Isu Odo, former Manager Security.
At the event, the retired director, legal services, Mohammed Babaginda Umar, recalled the less-than-welcoming disposition of major oil and gas industry players towards the new enactment, which seeks to domicile value-adding activities and to promote utilisation of Nigerian human resources and local goods.
“Local content was new in the oil and gas sector,” he noted, pointing out that companies were hardly cooperative, and tact was required to create understanding and compliance with provisions of the Act. He stated that it was an achievement of note that the companies gradually embraced the law and have become dependable partners as evidenced by the rapid growth of local content to 61 per cent, up from five per cent in 2010.
“Local content has come to stay,” he declared, adding that many other African countries now come to Nigeria to learn the secret of the country’s success. He called on staff still in the service of the company to give their best so as to maintain the momentum achieved in performance and growth.
Another retiree, Mr. Daziba Patrick Obah, who had served in different capacities, as pioneer Director, Planning Research and Statistics (PRS) Directorate, Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB (2016-17), and later as Director of Corporate Services, recalled challenges faced in regard to the construction of the 17-storey NCT, from the substructure to the superstructure, and how they were surmounted during his brief tenure as chief executive of the Board.
Mr. Isaac Yalah, who retired as Director Planning Research and Statistics (PRS), after serving previously as Finance and Personnel Management Directorate, said NCDMB is an institution that brings out the best in staff, providing the appropriate tools for work and staff development programmes that boosted productivity. “We had to put in everything,” he explained, as they strove to achieve set goals.
He described the US$350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) as a game changer with regard to indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry as several Nigerian service companies easily accessed the single digit facility and acquired necessary operational assets.
He advised staff to keep learning and be focused at all times to move the Board to higher levels of attainment.
