The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has revealed that the need to increase indigenous participation, manning and ownership in marine operations of the oil and gas industry was the driving force on its partnership between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, in the introduction of a revised Marine Vessel Categorisation Scheme.
The new scheme was presented at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop.
According to the Director, Monitoring, and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Akintunde Adelana, the current scheme was adopted in 2013 for use on tenders involving marine vessels and it helped to increase the participation of Nigerian owned vessels from below five percent to 35 percent.
In his words, “it increased the level of participation for Nigerians, instilled more confidence for investment by Nigerians, increased awareness of Nigerians in this area of operation. Ultimately, it led to an increase in in-country spend and this boosted Nigeria’s economy” he said.
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He confirmed that the new scheme was shared with NIMASA and NIWA and they are in alignment. “We have considered inland waterways vessels in the categorization. This will help to build Community Contractors,” he added.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Peterside Dakuku represented by the Assistant Director, NIMASA, Barr. Victor Egejuru said the agency through a joint collaborative committee with NCDMB has built and sustained synergy for the development of local content in the maritime sector.
He noted that section 105 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act empowers the Board to implement Nigerian Content in the marine sector in collaboration with NIMASA.
“The interface with NCDMB has resulted in concerted, coordinated and trust-building, multi-layered results of activities geared at improving indigenous vessel participation in the oil and gas sector,” he added.
On his part, the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Danladi Ibrahim represented by the Area Manager, NIWA Lagos, Engr. Sarat Braimah thanked the Board for the collaboration among the maritime and government agencies to resolve issues of interests for investors and stakeholders.
