Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a renewed drive to integrate host communities into Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB and the Nigeria LNG Limited have launched a comprehensive training initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of local contractors.
The initiative tagged “NLNG Community Vendors Capacity Development Programme”, kicked off with over 90 community contractors from oil-producing areas participating.
The four-day workshop seeks to position community vendors to effectively tap into the vast opportunities across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the petroleum industry.
In a keynote presentation, the Manager of Project Certification and Authorization Directorate, PICAD, at NCDMB, Mr. Elvis Ogede, stressed the importance of bridging capacity gaps in host communities to actualize the Board’s target of achieving 70% Nigerian Content by 2027.
“We want our community vendors to not just participate, but to thrive in the oil and gas value chain. From non-hazardous waste management to minor civil and mechanical works, site preparation, and procurement, the opportunities are vast and growing.”
Ogede, who represented the PICAD Director, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, listed specific enablers tailored to ease the entry and participation of community contractors. These include waiver options, prioritized contracting consideration, and expedited approvals of community-based contracting strategies.
“The Board is committed to dismantling barriers and creating fast-track processes that position community contractors for success,” he added.
Highlighting the technical requirements for participation, Mr. Babarinde Victor Olumuyiwa, NCDMB’s Deputy Manager for the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System, NOGIC JQS, urged vendors to leverage the digital platform for contractor registration, prequalification, and industry insights.
“NOGIC JQS is the single source of truth for Nigerian Content participation. With over 400,000 individuals and 13,000 service companies already registered, it’s your gateway to building credibility and accessing contracts.”
He added: “This system enhances transparency, helps track training, and provides industry data that vendors can harness to align their business strategies.”
Addressing financing challenges faced by community contractors, Mr. Erepa Turner from NCDMB’s Finance and Personnel Management Division announced the availability of specialized funding support.
“We have structured schemes such as the Community Contractors Financing Scheme and the Women in Oil and Gas Funding Initiative. Our goal is to remove funding bottlenecks that often hinder local participation.”
On building technical capabilities, the Manager of the Capacity Building Directorate, Engr. Dokubo Obongo, explained that the Board has facilitated over 16 million training man-hours and invested $350 million in indigenous oil and gas businesses.
“Our Human Capacity Development Programme is geared to achieve 60% employability of beneficiaries while growing world-class training centers and local content linkages. We want our local businesses to compete globally.”
Speaking on the Community Content Guideline, Manager of Projects and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Joseph Adebayo, said indigenous oil and gas companies are now mandated to carry out periodic needs assessments in their host communities and deploy targeted resources for capacity development and economic empowerment.
“The 2010 NOGICD Act is clear: integrate host communities into the value chain, utilize local manpower and assets, and support entrepreneurs through the Host Community Intervention Fund,” Adebayo emphasized.
In his welcome remarks, NLNG’s Nigerian Content Development Manager, Engr. Buowari Dagogo, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Uleh, lauded the NCDMB for its relentless push for community inclusion in oil and gas projects.
“This programme reaffirms our commitment to build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with our host community vendors. We want them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Category A vendors in executing high-impact projects.”
He added: “We believe this capacity development drive will align our community partners with NLNG’s vision of excellence and sustainability in the industry.”
The NLNG-NCDMB collaboration is part of a broader national strategy to ensure at least 30% of oil and gas business opportunities are allocated to host communities, in line with the Petroleum Industry Road Map and the Nigerian Content Development goals.
As the workshop progresses, participants are expected to gain hands-on insights into contracting processes, digital tools, access to funding, and community content strategies that will position them to deliver value and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy transition.
