A high-powered delegation from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and senior government officials from the Republic of Congo has commenced a study visit to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to understudy Nigeria’s local content policy, implementation framework, and institutional model.
Led by the Director General of the Upstream Petroleum Sector of the Republic of Congo, Mr. Franc Mouzabakani Kiesse, the delegation visited key NCDMB facilities and toured the Nigerian Content Towers in Yenagoa.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engineer Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, briefed the visiting officials on the Board’s core mandate, operational framework, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and its strategic roadmap aimed at achieving 70 percent Nigerian Content by 2027.
Dr. Halilu highlighted the pivotal role of research, development, and innovation in building local capacity. He emphasized the Board’s stance that local content policies should act as a catalyst for investment and industrial growth rather than a bureaucratic obstacle.
Highlighting the long-term vision of the partnership, Dr. Halilu stated:
“Nigeria is an early starter in terms of oil discovery and local content implementation… At the end of these visits, we want to see service companies in Congo coming to set up business in our Nigerian Oil and Gas Park. We also want to see Nigerian companies setting up in Brazzaville under joint venture partnerships.”
Accompanying Dr. Halilu to receive the delegation were key NCDMB officials, including the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Silas Ajimijaye; General Manager of Zonal Coordination, Mr. Ifeanyi Ukoha; and Manager of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Mr. Maurice Iwhiwhu.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Franc Mouzabakani Kiesse explained that Nigeria was specifically chosen for the visit due to its global reputation as a pioneer and champion of local content development in Africa, backed by over 15 years of structured progress.
Expressing his satisfaction with the visit, Mr. Kiesse noted:
“We started a side visit by visiting your capacity development park and gas-to-power plant, which is a practical example of local content operated by local companies… We are very impressed and now have a full picture with a lot to take away to identify key pillars to be implemented in our country.”
During their stay in Bayelsa State, the delegation toured major NCDMB infrastructure projects, including the NCDMB Gas Plant at Elebele, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGAPS) at Emeyal Two in Ogbia Local Government Area, and the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre (TIIC) located at the Board’s corporate headquarters in Yenagoa.