Author Archives: Senate Committee

The Senate Committee on Local Content yesterday said it would partner the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to actualise the implementation of its functions.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo (Delta South), stated this at the inaugural meeting of the committee.

The panel was formerly chaired by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) before she was moved to the Committee on the Diaspora and Non-governmental organisations.

Joel-Onowakpo said NCDMB would serve a veritable platform for the Committee to achieve its aims which are stated in order 96 of the Senate Standing rules.

He said, “The mandate of this committee as stipulated in order 96 of the Senate standing orders 2023 as amended is clear and unambiguous.

“It is to ensure that Nigerians benefit maximally from the country’s natural resources. Order 96: Specifically, the jurisdiction of the Committee shall include: Nigerian Content Development; Monitoring Board (NCDMB); Matters relating to local capacity development, and Transfer of technology in oil and gas industries.

“It shall also include Matters of local content and transfer of technology in other mature industries such as construction, power, railway, ICT etc; Issues relating to the patronage of local manpower; Receiving annual performance report of the Nigerian Local Content; and Annual budget estimates.

“The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) plays a vital role in achieving these aims.

“Therefore, collaboration between this committee and NCDMB is essential as we will work closely with NCDMB to ensure that the provisions of the NOGICD Act are implemented effectively.

“The Committee will not only provide oversight, but it will also support the Board in its efforts to develop and implement policies that promote Local content development.

“In addition to our collaboration with the Board, we will engage with other stakeholders including operators, service providers and local businesses.

“The committee will create an enabling environment that fosters growth of local businesses and promote job creation.”

In hitting the ground running, the committee, resolved to embark on an oversight visit to NCDMB’s head office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State from Wednesday to Friday next week.

Prominent leader of the APC in Delta State and Former Commissioner of Finance, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba has congratulated Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas on his appointment as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.

In a press statement released today, Olorogun Okumagba said, “I extend my warm congratulations to my friend, brother and senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, on his appointment as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content. It is a pride to us in the Delta South Senatorial District and an appointment well deserved. Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has distinguished himself since his election to the Senate, and displayed the same qualities of fair mindedness, diligence and capacity for which I have always known him. I am therefore not surprised that he was appointed to this very important position, where he will deploy these qualities to bear on the work of the committee and the agencies under its oversight.”

Noting that the National Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) has continued to deliver on its promise, Olorogun Okumagba said the appointment of Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas to head the Senate Committee will further the work of the agency to drive increased local content in the oil and gas industry in line with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. In his words, “I have no doubt in my mind that Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas will deploy his experience and capacity to lead the committee and work with the NCDMB to deliver on its expected outcomes for the benefit of Nigerians and the nation’s economy.”

Okumagba extended his appreciation to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate leadership for finding it worthy to appoint Senator Joel-Onowakpo whom he described as “very focused” to lead the committee.