Paragraph 1: Prioritizing Nigerian Workforce in Dangote Refinery Operations
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has emphasized the importance of prioritizing Nigerian workers in the operational phase of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company. During the inauguration of a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) formed by the two organizations, the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, underscored the legal requirement for companies in the oil and gas sector to prioritize local manpower. Referencing Sections 32 and 33 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 (NOGICD Act), Ogbe reiterated the necessity of obtaining NCDMB approval before engaging expatriates. This focus on local employment aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s "Renewed Hope Agenda," which emphasizes job creation, skills development, and national capacity building.
Paragraph 2: Fostering Collaboration and Local Content Development
The establishment of the JTC signifies a crucial step in strengthening the collaboration between the NCDMB and the Dangote Refinery to champion local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The committee’s inauguration, held at the Dangote Free Trade Zone in Lagos State, involved the formal signing of its Terms of Reference, a tour of the refinery facility, and the presentation of the "Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year Award" to Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group. The NCDMB commended the Dangote Group for achieving the milestone of constructing the world’s largest single-train refinery, a project seen as a testament to the effectiveness of the NOGICD Act.
Paragraph 3: Ensuring Nigerian Ownership and Operational Sustainability
The NCDMB emphasized the importance of Nigerian ownership and sustainable operation of the Dangote Refinery. With a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery is poised to significantly enhance Nigeria’s energy security and contribute to the supply of refined petroleum products throughout West Africa. The NCDMB highlighted the importance of securing, maintaining, and ensuring the efficient operation of the plant by Nigerian professionals, underscoring the commitment to maximizing value retention within the sector, as mandated by the NOGICD Act.
Paragraph 4: Balancing Local Content with Cost Optimization
The Dangote Group acknowledged the ongoing collaboration with the NCDMB in promoting local content throughout the refinery’s construction phase. While acknowledging room for further progress, the Group emphasized its commitment to local content while also balancing cost considerations as an entrepreneurial venture. The Group Vice President of Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, reiterated the Dangote Group’s longstanding commitment to national development and capacity building, emphasizing their vision to expand Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
Paragraph 5: Joint Technical Committee’s Mandate and Objectives
The primary responsibility of the JTC is to ensure the implementation of local content in the refinery’s operations. This includes promoting the use of Nigerian skilled labor, services, and locally sourced materials, in accordance with Section 3 of the NOGICD Act. The committee will also provide support to the Dangote Refinery in aligning its operational procedures with the Act’s requirements. Abdulmalik Halilu, Chairman of the committee and Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB, expressed the committee’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of local content enforcement and generating tangible benefits for the Nigerian economy.
Paragraph 6: Supporting Local Manufacturing and Industrial Parks
Beyond the refinery’s operations, the NCDMB urged the Dangote Group to support the development of oil and gas industrial parks (NOGaPS) across Nigeria. These parks aim to create a conducive environment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to engage in manufacturing, fabrication, research, and development activities within the oil and gas sector. This initiative further reinforces the NCDMB’s commitment to local content development and job creation. The NCDMB believes that Dangote’s support for NOGaPS can contribute significantly to the growth of the local oil and gas industry supply chain.
