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Presidential Directives On Nigerian Content Has Shortened Contracting Cycle, Eliminated Middlemen – NCDMB
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Monday announced the elimination of middlemen from the oil and gas industry value chain, thus shortening the oil industry contracting cycle to six months.
It attributed this to the three Presidential Directives on Local Content operations issued by President Bola Tinubu in March 2024.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe stated this in Lagos while speaking at a breakfast meeting with some media executives.
He confirmed that NCDMB had complied fully with the Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance Requirements, 2024 (EO 41), which sought to ensure that only local service companies that have domiciled proven capacities and capabilities can participate in oil and gas tenders. He also indicated that NCDMB has reduced its touch points and fast-tracked projects approval processes, in compliance with the Presidential Directive on Reduction of Petroleum Sector Contracting Costs and Timelines, 2024 (EO 42).
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The Presidential Directives and the Board’s compliance are geared to attract new international and local investments, encourage speedy development of oil and gas projects and improve the Nigerian economy.
The Executive Secretary hinted on plans to launch a major initiative tagged “Back to the creeks.” This policy will take the impact and contribution of local content implementation to oil producing communities and other hinterlands across the country.
Responding to questions from journalists, the NCDMB boss dismissed insinuations that local content implementation increases the cost of producing crude oil in Nigeria.
He clarified that the major drivers of increased cost of crude oil production are downtime and disruptions in operations caused by community issues or technical problems.
Other challenges responsible for extraneous costs include the cost of providing security and the activities of briefcase contractors, he said.
On the Board’s strategies for enabling growth of the industry, Ogbe stated that NCDMB was working intently to create an enabling environment for international oil companies to take final investment decisions for new projects and was evolving policies to support indigenous oil and gas service companies.
Responding to a question on insurance, the NCDMB boss promised to revive the insurance services guidelines the Board signed in June 2022 with the National Insurance Commission (NIACOM), which would oblige the Nigerian oil and gas industry to patronize the local insurance sector.
He acknowledged that the success of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap depends largely on public communication, awareness and support from key oil and gas stakeholders.
He also appreciated the media for projecting the activities and programmes of the Board and assured that cooperation with the media would be deepened under his leadership as the Executive Secretary.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, indicated that the breakfast meeting was organised to introduce the Executive Secretary formally to leading media stakeholders.
Other senior management of NCDMB that attended the breakfast meeting included the Director Corporate Services and Capacity Building, Dr. Ama Ikuru; Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu; Director Projects Certification and Authorization, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele and Director, Legal Services, Mr. Naboth Onyesoh, Esq.
In his comments, Director Corporate Services and Capacity Building, charged media stakeholders to report Nigeria in a positive light, to attract investments in the oil and gas sector.
The Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu gave an update on the performance of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund). He rated the Fund’s performance as over 90%, judging by the percentage of access by qualified companies and repayment by the borrowers.
He equally hinted that the Executive Secretary had constituted a team to review the Community Contractors Fund, which is a poor performing product under the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund).
He expressed hope that an announcement would soon be made on the remodeling of that particular product, new partners and product papers.
The Director Projects Certification and Authorization, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele highlighted the increased number of projects approved by the Board since it started implementing the Presidential Directive on Local Content.
He added that the Board was equally supporting companies seeking to fastrack gas investments to take advantage of the Presidential Directive on Tax Incentives, Exemptions and Remissions for the Oil and Gas Companies.
Also speaking, Director, Legal Services, Mr. Naboth Onyesoh commended the media for their support to the Board over the years, which increased the visibility and public awareness of the Board’s functions and achievements.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and several legal practitioners on Monday escorted a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, to the office of her Local Government Inspector (LGI) after she was summoned for a viral video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye had gained widespread attention after posting a video on her TikTok account, #talktoraye, in which she lamented the country’s worsening economic crisis and blamed President Tinubu for the hardship faced by Nigerians.
She further described the president as a “terrible leader.”
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In a subsequent video, Raye claimed that NYSC officials had begun to threaten her following her public outbursts.
She was then summoned to appear at the NYSC office in Eti-Osa, Lagos, for questioning on Monday.
However, Sowore, alongside legal practitioners including Festus Ogun, Yinka Oyesomi, and Justice Ojienoh, accompanied Raye to the NYSC office in a show of solidarity.
According to an update shared by Sowore on his official X handle, the NYSC officials failed to show up for the meeting.
“We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI offices of the @officialnyscng with youth corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, in Lagos. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today, and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys.
@mrfestusogun, @yinka_oyesomi, and @justiceojienoh, but the LGI official had absconded, failing to show up throughout our stay,” Sowore posted.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of Inspector Ajele Oloyede, who was on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado Odo-Ota Local Government Area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 1:20 p.m.
Oloyede, who was attached to the 78 PMF, Zamfara State, was found dead from a gunshot wound under unclear circumstances.
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According to preliminary reports, another officer, Tolorunloju Stephen, attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he saw Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table in the security office.
After exchanging pleasantries, Oloyede reportedly assured Stephen that he was fine.
Moments later, Stephen went to the restroom but was startled by the sound of a gunshot. He rushed back to find Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
With the help of private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately transported to Ota General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
The police confirmed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the body has been deposited for an autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered a full-scale investigation to determine whether foul play was involved or if mental health issues contributed to the tragedy.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further inquiry.
“The Nigeria Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Ajele Oloyede. The command remains committed to the well-being of its officers and will ensure that all necessary support is provided during this difficult time,” Odutola stated.
Authorities assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be made known once concluded.
Nine surveyors abducted in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have been released after their families paid a ransom of N20 million.
Recall that the victims were kidnapped a week ago while working at a site in Ilu-Abo.
Their captors initially demanded N100 million for their release.
However, following negotiations, market women intervened, pleading for a reduction to N50 million.
READ MORE: Ondo Market Women Block Governor’s Office Over Nine Abducted Surveyors
The kidnappers initially rejected the appeal before eventually settling for N20 million.
Confirming their release, Pastor Ajibade Owolanke, brother to the Ejemikin of Akure, High Chief Oluwole Omotayo, said: “The victims have joined their individual family members.”
It was gathered that after regaining their freedom, the surveyors were taken to different hospitals for medical examinations.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage in the state, prompting market women and youths in Akure to stage a protest.
The demonstrators urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to take decisive action against the rising wave of kidnappings in the state.
Security authorities have yet to comment on any arrests related to the incident.
More to follow………..
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