Mkpoikana Udoma
The workshop, according to the NCDMB, provides a forum for discussions and demonstration of research breakthroughs on software and hardware as they relate to oil and gas industry needs, bioremediation and related oil field chemicals solutions, such as additives and drilling fluids, and renewable solutions to meet industry needs.
Scheduled to be hosted in the six geopolitical zones of the country by NCDMB Centres of Excellence in six universities, the workshop also intends to enhance capacity building of research directors and lecturers, particularly in writing and reading compelling research proposals.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Board has been empowered by Sections 36-39 and 70 (m) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act to coordinate and superintend over research and development towards the further attainment of the goal of developing Nigerian content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Highlighting a major success in research-related endeavours of the NCDMB, Ogbe said the actualization of the Amal Technology Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Facility recently in Abuja, was a result of research commercialisation, amplified in the NCDMB technology innovation and incubation policy which created the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre.
He said, “critical gaps hampering the research climate in our sector, notably, lack of research infrastructure, funding and weak commercial frameworks, had been identified in the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Road Map, which had been developed in 2017. Appropriate measures to close such gaps were also identified.
“The establishment of Research Centres of Excellence in the six geopolitical zones of the country and establishment of the R&D Fund to stimulate research in the oil and gas sector were some of the measures recommended to remedy the identified gaps. Hence we have the Nigerian Content Research and Development Fund launched by the Board in 2021 with an initial seed capital of $50 million.”
Ogbe represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Mr Isaac Yalah, listed the six research centres of excellence hosted by tertiary institutions in different geopolitical zones to include Niger Delta University, which hosts a Centre of Excellence for Engineering Studies.
Others are, Federal University of Technology Akure; Federal University of Technology Owerri, and Federal University of Technology Minna, with Centres of Excellence in Geology and Geophysical Studies, Local Raw Materials Substitution, and Technology Development, Studies, respectively. While Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, hosts Safety and Environment Studies; and Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, hosts Renewable Energy.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of NDU, Prof. Allen Aziba-Odumosu Agih, commended NCDMB for chosing the University as a Centre of Excellence, noting that the Board recently donated computers to the university to aid Information and Communication Technology and digital penetration in the university community and its environs.
Agih, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Jonah Akekere, urged all the stakeholders and researchers to ensure their output is sold to the industry.
Also, the event facilitator and Managing Director, Wider Perspectives Ltd, Mrs. Edughom Hanson, said interactions between oil and gas industry players, academics and policy-makers were vital for the successes the country seeks in national development.
Hanson noted that, among other objectives, the Workshop seeks to build the capacity of research directors and lecturers in writing and reading compelling research proposals.
