Chuks Isiwu 06 May 2015, Sweetcrude, Houston, Texas – Over 200 people were in attendance as the annual Nigeria Content Investment Forum, NCIF, kicked off with a first edition, Monday, in Houston, Texas, United States.
In attendance were oil and gas industry players from across United States, Africa, Europe, Asia and South America.
Speakers at the event included the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr Ernest Nwapa; Chairman, Schlumberger Africa, Mr Sola Oyinlola; Linda Anukwuem, City of Houston Council Member; Mr. Manssour Jarmakani, Executive Director, Nigerdock and Mr. Fubara Anga, Principal Partner, Aelex, among others.
The speakers and delegates at the forum were unanimous on the potentials of Nigeria as preferred investment destination, taking into account its population, its leadership position in Africa, its rich mineral resources – including oil and gas – and the possible stability the new government coming into office on May 29 will bring to bear on the nation’s oil and gas sector.
The forum was organised by SweetcrudeReports, the foremost energy publication, in conjunction with partners – the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and the Guardian Newspaper.
Packaged to run every year alongside the Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, also holding in Houston, this maiden edition of the forum held at the landmark Houstonian Hotel in Houston.
According to Mr. Hector Igbikiowubo, Editor-in-chief, SweetcrudeReports, the event is driven by the objective to establish a platform for interface between oil and gas Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, operating in Nigeria/West Africa and original equipment manufacturers, OEMs, operating in the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“NCIF is an event we have carefully packaged to offer something really meaningful and beneficial to the Nigerian participants at the annual OTC, away from the jamboree that has often been associated with Nigeria’s participation at the conference.
“It is conceived as a platform for Nigerian oil and gas entrepreneurs looking for foreign partners to meet international companies looking for opportunities in Africa,” Mr. Igbikiowubo said.
The forum witness a plenary session as well as a technical session focusing on Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Park Scheme, NOGaPS; Capacity development within Nigerian Content framework; Nigerian Content Development Fund implementation model; and Legal framework governing company operations.
There was also a panel discussion on way forward for Nigerian Content, Unlocking opportunities for OEMs through NOGaPS, and fiscal incentives in Nigeria to attract foreign investors.
