President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday held a virtual inauguration of the 17-storey headquarters building of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
The President, who spoke from the Council chamber of the State House, Abuja, said, “It is with great pleasure that I am directing the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to commission the 10 megawatts (MW) power plant, the 1000-seater conference centre to be known as the NCDMB Conference Centre and also commission the iconic 17-storey building to be known as the Nigerian Content Tower on my behalf.”
Buhari also harped on his administration’s efforts to boost local productions, sciences and innovations for local manufacturers.
“That is why two of the Executive Orders issued under our government are related to enforcing local content in public procurement and contracts to further replicate the successes being realized in the oil and gas industry.
“Local content and self-reliance are key principles of the recently approved 2.3 trillion naira National Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), aimed at the promotion of local production, local services, local innovation, and the use of local materials.
“With the commissioning of this project, I want to highlight that we have put in place a landmark of reference in the Niger Delta to reflect long lasting legacies that signpost the years of oil and gas exploitation and I assure you that there is more to come,” Buhari said.
Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva said the completion and commissioning of the NCDMB tower is a salute to Buhari’s commitment for continuity.
Chief Sylva also said the president has worked to change the narrative of oil and gas industry for better.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, said 95 percent of the manpower used in the construction of the edifice was sourced locally.