Joseph Bakare
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has been conferred with the first 1st Dr Alirio Parra Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.
The award was presented to the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote at the gala dinner held in Abuja to mark the end of the 2018 Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and International Exhibition.
Total Exploration and Production Company was also recognized for its sterling fostering the growth of Local Content through the execution of the Egina deepwater project.
CWC and Levmora Services, organizers of the NOG conference said NCDMB was chosen for the Dr Alirio Parra Award for being the most transparent and outstanding federal agency in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The Board was also feted as very innovative, introducing several initiatives that are geared to improve the operations of the sector and develop the Nigerian economy.
Late Dr Alirio Parra, former Minister of Energy and Mines, Venezuela and Senior Advisor, CWC Group Limited died on March 9, 2018, aged 90.
He also served as President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Conference and was involved with many professional activities in the international oil and gas sector. He had insightful knowledge of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, had been visiting Nigeria for over 40 years and delivered addresses at annual NOG events.
In a similar vein, the NCDMB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CWC on the organisation of the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Workshop and Exhibition. Engr. Wabote signed on behalf of the NCDMB on Monday at the first day of the NOG Conference while the Vice President, Production, CWC, Ms. Wemimo Oyelana signed on behalf of the company.
The Executive Secretary explained that the MoU is for five years and revenues generated from hosting the annual event would be shared between the Board and CWC. He also stated that CWC was working to be incorporated in Nigeria.
The PNC Workshop was conceived by CWC and it organised the first edition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in 2011. Subsequent editions were held in collaboration with the NCDMB, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State between 2012 and 2015. The event was moved to Abuja in 2016 and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in 2017. The 2018 edition will be held at the Board’s new headquarters building, which is being completed in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.