NMDPRA Chief Executive Urges Expansion Of Local Content To Green Energy Sector
By Stephanie Odiase
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has urged the Federal Government to expand its local content policy to the emerging energy transition.
Ahmed who made this call while speaking at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, listed the areas to include renewable energy, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, big data, and efficient exploitation of hydrocarbon resources.
He explained that the world is seeking advancements and new options for energy provision to harness emerging technologies, optimise competitive advantages and reduce dependence on other sovereign economies.
Ahmed insisted that Nigeria must ensure that it remains competitive and an attractive investment destination that promotes inclusive development of its petroleum sector, adding that the NMDPRA would provide all required support to the NCDMB, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other stakeholders, in order to position Nigeria’s energy sector on the path of sustainability and growth.
The NMDPRA chief added that the Authority will continue to provide a conducive regulatory environment for the growth of the midstream and downstream of the petroleum industry, “Our efforts are already enabling businesses and attracting investments in critical infrastructure and other sub-sectors of the industry.”
Engr. Ahmed maintained that the NMDPRA remains committed to continuous stakeholder engagements and collaborations to ensure that all regulatory requirements support ease of doing business and the creation of robust markets.
Describing the theme of the event, ‘Defining the next frontier for Nigerian content implementation’ as apt, Engr. Ahmed said the forum has been consistent and has been contributing to the steady progress of local content development in Nigeria.
He pointed out that Nigeria has made considerable progress in its journey towards the attainment of optimal local content development through the enactment of requisite legislation, provision of structured funding, active participation of all stakeholders, clear, and visionary leadership by successive governments.
“Over the years, Nigeria has metamorphosed from a country that is dependent on importation of almost all professional and specialist services, to a nation that exports skills and expertise globally. Currently, as provided for by our local content laws, the country has attained most of its targets on the domestic provision of works and services, thereby creating appreciable wealth, prosperity, and employment for the populace and local investors.
“This has contributed towards the attainment of social harmony within the host communities of our important economic industries, which in turn is attracting more investments in the sectors,” he said.
While commending the NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Ogbe, for providing credible leadership, Ahmed argued that the journey towards national development is a continuous endeavour, noting that as the economy, technology and global markets evolve, so does the need for transformations and innovations in local content activities.
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