Emmanuel Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources has launched the Nigerian Content Research and Development Council (NCRDC), which is expected to advise the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on matters relating to research, development and innovation for the oil and gas industry.
Kachikwu described the R&D council as a timely innovation that would deepen the achievements recorded in Nigerian Content implementation and charged the members to deliver on their mandate, which will help redress the fallings of the oil and gas sector to the Nigerian economy.
“After 50 years, we still cannot refine enough petroleum products and we cannot provide enough electricity for our 190 million populace.
In the eyes of the general public, oil is failing the country. Some of the bold steps NCDMB is taking, to create research and create focus will internalize growth and development,” he said.
Kachikwu added that the NCDMB is focused on increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects and engendering business opportunities locally.
“The new NCDMB is more dynamic and focused, to a point where the National Assembly is now considering whether Local Content should be implemented across sectors because of the success we have brought to the oil and gas industry. Even the world, especially African countries, has taken notice.”
Also present at the launch was Simbi Wabote, the executive secretary of NCDMB, who explained that the framework of the board’s research and development provides that all research topics or thematic areas must be based on industry challenge or needs.
He added that “the board will be more involved in applied research to give room for product development and would encourage prototype development of products. It would be involved as well as encourage commercialization of products or research endeavours. The board would ensure that every product that is commercialized at the back of oil and gas activities is accepted and utilized.”
