Abuja moots sanction after years of barking without teeth
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Abuja says it has resolved to sanction oil and gas firms that violate Human Capacity Development provisions in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act which has existed for 12 years with little impact.
Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDM) Executive Secretary Simbi Wabote made the point in a keynote address at the second edition of the virtual stakeholders’ workshop for Human Capacity Development in the oil and gas industry.
Wabote spoke on the topic, ‘Human Capacity Development: The Pillar for Nigeria’s Industrialisation’.
He announced that the NCDMB would implement periodic forensic audit for human capital development programmes, and companies would be sanctions if found violating the NOGICD Act 2010 and the ministerial regulations in executing cost intensive Capacity Development Initiatives mandated in the Act.
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Oil money losses can fund Buhari’s projects without loans
Abuja blames high debt on firms dodging N7tr tax payment
Abuja owes oil firms $1.15b; they owe treasury N2.6tr
_________________________________________________________________
NCDMB mandate
“It has come to the attention of the board that some operating companies and services companies are reluctant to implement the HCD programmes as directed by the board.
“Most of the companies are testing the mettle of the board and I want to use this opportunity to inform erring companies that the board will mete out appropriate sanctions to them as prescribed by the Act,” Wabote warned, according to reporting by The PUNCH.
He reiterated that the NCDMB is mandated to ensure the oil and gas industry derives maximum benefits from huge investments and also ensure beneficiaries of HCD training programmes find gainful employment in the sector.
“With the rapid advancement in technologies used in the oil and gas industry, our industry will continue to be manned by foreigners and expatriates if we do not keep pace with the spate of technological development by developing the human capabilities required for the challenges of modern industrial technologies.”
