The Local Content Model being implemented in Nigeria has been adopted by Royal Dutch Shell for use across the company’s global operations.
To implement this successfully,???? Nigerian model, Simbi Wabote, the immediate past General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria, has been appointed as the Local Content Manager, Shell Exploration and Production International Ltd.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board for Wabote in Lagos recently, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa, explained that the structured implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act was yielding results in the Nigerian economy and attracting international acclaim.
According to him, “It is significant that Shell found it necessary to take the Nigerian Content model being implemented in Nigeria and implant it in their global system. That tells us that what we are doing here is effective and we want to show the world that if Shell says this implementation model is effective, then it is effective.
“It is through Nigerian Content Development that this industry and country can be transformed and industrialised.”
Speaking further, Nwapa hailed the contributions of Wabote to the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, noting that his analytical approach to issues helped the Board improve its formulation of guidelines and directives.
He expressed delight that Wabote’s new position would afford him the opportunity to play more significant roles that would impact positively on Nigerian content development.
The Executive Secretary further challenged Nigerians in positions of authority in the industry to see Wabote’s elevation as a challenge to make a difference in their companies.
He said: “We feel very strongly that our Nigerian content managers should emulate Simbi. He was very loyal to Shell, but he also used his position in a right way to ensure that his company complied with the laws of Nigeria.
“We at the Board would continue to rely on the support of Shell and the international oil companies to perform our responsibilities.”
In his response, Wabote commended the Board for the significant successes it had recorded in the implementation of the Act, which has resulted in the marked development of local capacity, creation of over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, increased retention of the annual industry spend among others.
He also extolled the Board for employing a non-disruptive implementation strategy and allaying apprehensions which griped some international operating and service companies after the Act was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on April 22, 2010.
Thailand Seeks Partnership With NNPC On Gas Infrastructure
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), Austen Oniwon, has stated that the corporation was ready to partner with Thailand investors to develop the nation’s gas infrastructure in line with the gas transformation agenda of the federal government.
He disclosed this recently while receiving a delegation from Thailand, adding “We see windows of opportunity in the Asian countries for the development of gas-based industries as well as gas processing plants for the benefits of our countries.”
According to him, Nigeria has 187 trillion cubic feet of gas, out of which only 10 per cent has been developed, and therefore the focus on gas development to generate more revenue is a right step in the right direction.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs, NNPC, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, he stated that only eight billion cubic feet of gas was being utilised per day through NLNG, and therefore there was abundant untapped natural gas in the country.
The GMD stated that the coming of the Thai investors to NNPC to explore investment opportunities in gas development was not a mistake in view of government gas revolution agenda.
He invited the Thai investors to partake in NLNG Train seven as well as OK LNG as off-takers of gas.
“I hope this is the beginning of an enduring business relationship between Thailand and NNPC for the benefit of both Thais and Nigerians,” he said.
Earlier, the leader of the Thailand delegation, Mr. Smai Leesakul, said his country welcomed the opportunity to participate in the development of gas infrastructure in Nigeria as well as to boost trade between Thailand and Nigeria.
“We are delighted to share our experiences with Nigeria to generate value added products from natural gas,’’? Leesakul, who is also the Adviser to Thailand government on trade said.
According to him, gas utilisation was low in Thailand and hence the desire to get more gas from Nigeria to support his home country? power generation capacity.