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NCDMB commences ASNT Level III Training & Certification in Nigeria
Modupe ASUDO
PORT-HARCOURT -THE Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has flagged off the training of 30 Trainees for the maiden American Society for Non-Destructive Testing, (ASNT) Level III Training and Certification in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary was represented at the ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday by the General Manager, Capacity Building Division of the Board, Dr. Ama Ikuru.
He disclosed that the training was informed by the need to urgently address the existing critical gaps in the ASNT Level III professionals in-country, adding that the Board is committed to train and certify 100 Nigerians in that category.
Engr. Wabote hinted that Nigeria currently has just about 11 ASNT Level II inspectors, despite the fact that Non-Destructive Testing is a high value adding activity with versatile applications in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors. He said the intent of the training is to specifically address existing in-country gaps, reduce capital flight resulting from the engagement of expatriates for the provision of Non-Destructive Testing, (NDT) and related professional services, and to also drive train-the –trainer strategy to create viable and robust pool of NDT professionals in-country.
Other objectives of the training he also enumerated, are to enhance the professionalism and competitiveness of Nigerians in the provision of NDT and related services in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors, drive the domiciliation of NDT services in-country, increase local participation and retention of industry spends in the NDT value chain and further the attainment of the goals and aspirations of the NOGICD Act of 2010 and the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Road Map.
The Nigerian Content Chieftain commended two reputable companies charged with the responsibility to deliver the training, namely: Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited and Inspection & Tests Nigeria Limited. He stated that both companies are specialists with remarkable experience in the provision of NDT training and services, and members of the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT) which is a leading certifying entity in NDT profession globally.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the President of the Association of Non-Destructive Testing Practitioners (ANTEP), HRH Chief (Sir) Rowland Nze felicitated the Executive Secretary, Engr. Wabote on his recent reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari. Chief Nze commended the Board’s capacity building initiative which has changed the narrative of quality control processes in the oil and gas industry by assuring an advanced level of participation of Nigerians in QA/QC and NDT protocols of the industry.
The ANTEP President asserted that the Board through its partnership with the Association has empowered the practice of NDT in the Nigerian oil and gas space, noting that some companies now have investments in both advanced equipment and human resources. He added that local practitioners had invested with the confidence that first consideration will be given the Association for all NDT jobs in Nigeria.
The Royal Father wrapped up his address by requesting the National Assembly to reconsider the current proposal to increase the percentage of contribution to the Local Content Fund from one percent to two percent. He said such an amendment may have the unpleasant consequences of increasing the burden of an already stretched oil industry economy and may impact negatively the government’s plan to improve ease of doing business in Nigeria and by extension affect local practitioners like ANTEP companies.
In their comments, the chief executive of Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited, Engr. Ndubuisi Chijioke and his counterpart, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi of Inspection & Tests Nigeria Limited both expressed delight for the Board’s ambitious initiative to fill the skill gap in the NDT industry. Both companies did not hide their excitement by the opportunity to work with NCDMB and ANTEP in the human capacity development project to train and qualify 30 Nigerian NDT personnel to ASNT Level III.
They reiterated the significance of the project that the Board has set out to increase local capacity at this skill level by over 200 percent and potentially by more than 700 percent when the 100 Level II NDT inspectors are finally trained and certified as promised by the Board.
The high point of the kick-off ceremony was a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities of both companies by the General Manager, Capacity Building Division, Dr. Ama Ikuru, accompanied by the executive members of ANTEP and other industry stakeholders.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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