The corporate headquarters of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was on Thursday, 13th August, 2020 commissioned. The colourful ceremony was held in Bayelsa State, with the President, Mohammadu Buhari and other dignitaries joining virtually.
The Magnificent edifice now christened, “Nigerian Content Tower” is a 17-floor office complex with a multilevel car park, 1000 Sitting Capacity ultra-modern Auditorium among other add-ons situated in Swali coupled with a 10 megawatts gas-fired Independent Power Plant at Elebele.
In his address, President Mohammadu Buhari described the project as iconic and a demonstration of leadership and planning that went into it. He described the project as a magnate of investment and an enabler of job creation while expressing his satisfaction that thousand of direct and indirect jobs were created in addition to the businesses that were birthed by the project.
President Mohammadu Buhari was particularly gratified that the Project was undertaken by Indigenous Contractors and supported by local Engineers. He reiterated the commitment of his administration in upholding the tenets of Local Content, adding that two (2) Executive Orders that are Local Content related have been signed in that regard.
The President congratulated the Governing Council of NCDMB, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the people of Bayelsa State on the successful completion and commissioning of the project.
In his address at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva stressed that the project is a salute to President Mohammadu Buhari’s averred commitment to continuity, given that the project was initiated by the previous administration.
Sylva posited that the project is a key component of the portfolio tasks assigned to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the “Next Level Agenda”. He opined that the project is symbolic in that, it shows that President Buhari is keen at ensuring even development in every part of the country, that Indigenous contractors can perform if given the opportunity, and that Nigerian Content has come to stay.
Speaking further, the Minister said the Gas-fire Power Plant is a tip of the iceberg as the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is poised and committed to unlocking the potentials in Gas. He added that the Gas sector will be developed while the hitherto wastage in flaring will be eliminated.
The governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for the strong political will and backing that ensured the timely completion of the project.
On the his part, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote said the materials used for the execution of the project is 76% Nigerian Content, Manpower 76% Nigerian Content, while labour is over 90% Nigerian Content. He said the project has created jobs, built capacities, and is changing the face of Bayelsa State. He described the building as the highest in the entire South-South and South-East.
The project was executed by an Indigenous company, Megastar Technical and Construction Company
Enefaa Bob-Manuel
Deputy Director (Information)
Ministry of Petroleum Resources
