The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has again shifted attention to the grassroots, stressing that its programmes must be understood by young people and communities who live closest to oil and gas activities. The message at its latest sensitisation forum in Yenagoa was clear: now our focus is on you and the grassroots.
The Board explained that this renewed push is coming at a time when youths have high interest and high influence in industry affairs and community development. The tone of the meeting reflected a belief that local involvement leads to stronger ownership and sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas agenda. This thinking aligns with the new industrial park developed by NCDMB at Emeyal 1 in Ogbia Local Government Area under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS).
The Park is designed to become a hub for manufacturing components and spares needed for industry operations, helping to keep activities within the State and strengthen indigenous capacity. That idea formed the basis of the introduction to the sensitisation meeting.
On Friday, the NCDMB held an engagement session with youth groups and civil society organisations (CSOs) to increase awareness around its roles, activities, and guiding law. Representatives of youth bodies and CSOs gathered at the Harold Dappa Biriye Hall, Golden Tulip Resort, Yenagoa, where the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, addressed them through the General Manager of the Corporate Communications Division, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi. Ogbe explained the need to deepen outreach to industry players and communities, including vendors, contractors, host settlements, and emerging stakeholders.
Citing Section 67 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, which mandates regular workshops, seminars and public forums to enlighten Nigerians, he stated that the Board had achieved notable progress in compliance, cooperation and partnerships. “We have done so much at the higher level, talking and sharing ideas,” he said, adding that “now our focus is on you and the grassroots.” He explained that it was important “to let youths understand their connection to local content…that they are part of Nigerian Content.”
According to the Executive Secretary, young people must see themselves as owners and contributors to the future of oil and gas. He said the Board recognises that “Youths have high interest and high influence” and therefore would intensify engagements with them. The gathering was told that such meetings would become more regular, reflecting the Board’s intention to broaden awareness.
Dr. Ezeobi made a presentation showing how local capacity has evolved since the NOGICD Act came into force in 2010. He described the law as the disruptor of the old order, when foreign interests dominated the industry and Nigeria retained only about five per cent of sector spending. He highlighted that the Board has been intentional with Bayelsa development since inception, starting with the multi billion naira corporate headquarters in Yenagoa, the tallest structure in both South East and South South regions. The Nigerian Content Tower draws hundreds of industry players to the State every year.
Next to the tower is the 204 room four star NCDMB Conference Hotel, currently over 80 per cent complete and projected for commissioning in 2026. It is expected to transform the hospitality sector by serving growing industry traffic. In the same neighbourhood, the Best Western Plus Hotel, Oxbow Lake, was attracted to the area by the presence of the Board and industry executives who frequently visit the city.
The General Manager also highlighted the NCDMB Gas Hub in Gbarain, near the Shell Gbarain Ubie Gas Plant which produces one billion standard cubic feet of gas per day. The Gas Hub occupies 10.6 hectares and was set up to host gas related enterprises and boost industrialisation in Bayelsa. Already, Rungas Liquefied Petroleum Gas Composite Cylinder Manufacturing Plant, Azikel Refinery, and other firms are located there.
He added that in partnership with Agip, the Board built a 10 megawatt power plant at Elebele, supplying electricity to the Nigerian Content Tower, Government House, Yenagoa, and key government facilities. Surplus energy is available for purchase by qualified cooperatives or corporate entities.
Highlighting the NOGaPS Park in Emeyal 1, he noted that the facility was created to serve as a local hub for manufacturing essential components and spares required in the oil and gas sector, helping to domiciliate activities within the State. According to him, the Board has set up a US$50 million NOGaPS Manufacturing Fund to support manufacturers willing to establish at the Park. The Park includes factory spaces, dedicated power, workshops, shop floors, administrative buildings, clinics, and training centres. It is expected to be commissioned in 2026 after power link up.
Other major interventions include the Brass Island Shipyard, developed with Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, to serve dry docking of oil and gas vessels. The engineering design has been completed, and the project is expected to position Brass Island as a maritime servicing hub.
He also listed the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre in Otuabagi, jointly funded by PTDF, NCDMB, Renaissance Africa Energy Limited (formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company) and the Bayelsa State Government. The facility is due for completion and commissioning within 30 months.
Dr. Ezeobi mentioned vocational programmes and empowerment initiatives that have trained thousands of Bayelsa youths. He emphasised that developing people has remained a core mandate for NCDMB.
In his remarks at the event, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, urged youths to apply peaceful dialogue when dealing with companies in their communities. “If you negotiate properly, the outcome will ever be better,” he said. He advised youth groups and activists to arm themselves with facts, truth, and respectful approaches when interacting with authorities, noting that both NCDMB and the Petroleum Industry Act were products of negotiation.
Youth organisations and CSOs at the meeting welcomed the sensitisation, commending the Board for human capacity initiatives including vocational training. They pledged cooperation but appealed that more beneficiaries of training programmes should be assisted to find employment.
Representatives from across Bayelsa State and beyond attended the forum, reflecting wide interest in the Board’s grassroots focused approach and renewed push to bring youth into mainstream oil and gas discourse.
