Eunice Imo Kalu
Lagos — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has rejected 328 expatriate requests from oil and gas firms, while achieving 83% of the 96 initiatives under its strategic 10 years roadmap target launched at the end of the year 2017, with the goal of increasing Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry to 70 percent by the year 2027.
Mr. Olubisi Okunola, Manager Strategy Development and Information at NCDMB, disclosed this at the capacity building workshop for media stakeholders held in Lagos, while delivering a presentation on “Nigeria 10 years Strategic Roadmap: Success and look ahead.”
Mr. Okunola cited that the board received significantly more applications for expatriate quota increases in 2023 compared to 2022, bringing about a bigger number of rejections.
He said: “In 2023, 1,484 applications for expatriates were received by the board, 1,156 requests granted, while 328 applications were rejected.
“Compare this to 2022 data; there were 1,125 applications, 943 requests granted, while 172 applications were denied.”
Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile, the General Manager Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination at NCDMB, who delivered the welcome remark, maintained the firm’s commitment towards local content developments remains unwavering.
He noted that the theme of the workshop “The strategic role of the media in sustaining Nigerian Content Legacies” came at a time where the agency is transitioning to another phase in deepening local content.
Repeating Okunola’s view, Barr. Esueme mentioned that the board has achieved “83 per cent level of achievement for its 10-year roadmap.”
