By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, has launched a lubricant plant in Bayelsa State.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to deepen local content and reduce importation of products that can be produced locally.
He said that Nigeria currently consumes about a 250million litres of engine oils per annum and this consumption grows at more than five per cent every year because of the addition of new vehicles and machinery.
Wabote spoke on behalf of the NCDMB and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, at the groundbreaking of the ERASKON 64,000 Litres/ Day Lubricant and Chemical Blending plant and product launch ceremony in Gbarain, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The NCDMB boss explained that the partnership with ERASKON was in line with the agency’s mandate to develop local capacity in the oil and gas sector.
Wabote said, “Section 70(h) of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 mandates the Board to assist local contractors and Nigerian companies to develop their capabilities and capacities to further the attainment of the goal of developing Nigerian Content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”
He commended the vision of ERASKON management in setting up the lubricant plant which, according to him, will provide jobs for over 200 persons and over 800 indirectly.
