The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has charged the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company to prioritise Nigerian workers before bringing in expatriates to work at the refinery.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, stated this on Tuesday when the two organisations inaugurated a Joint Technical Committee aimed at advancing local content implementation during the operational phase of the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery plant.

A statement by NCDMB General Manager of Corporate Communications, Obinna Ezeobi, said on Thursday that Ogbe demanded compliance with Sections 32 and 33 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, with particular reference to local manpower utilisation and requirements for NCDMB’s approval before the engagement of expatriates.

“The NOGICD Act stipulates that no expatriate can be employed in any organization in the oil and gas industry without the prior approval of the NCDMB. We will work with you.

We have to protect jobs for Nigerians,” he said while commending the company for training and employing Nigerian engineers.

The NCDMB boss stated that the new collaboration must ensure that qualified Nigerians are given opportunities across all operational roles, emphasizing, “It is critical to job creation, skills development, and national capacity building in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

The NCDMB boss also urged the Dangote refinery to support its initiative aimed at developing oil and gas industrial parks across the country to foster local content and manufacturing in the oil and gas sector.

He explained that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme seeks to create an enabling environment for Small and Medium Enterprises in the sector.

NOGaPS was conceived by the board to develop facilities close to oil fields where manufacturing of oil and gas components, as well as research and development, can be carried out.

“We would like Dangote to support one of our major activities, which is the oil and gas industrial parks scheme. The parks are aimed at creating an enabling environment for SMEs in the industry to do fabrication, among others, and create more jobs for Nigerians,” Ogbe said.

The inauguration of the committee, which took place at the Dangote Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, aimed at fostering strategic collaboration between both institutions and it was described by the NCDMB as a significant move to reinforce local content development in the oil and gas sector.

The ceremony featured the formal sign-off of the Committee’s Terms of Reference, a guided tour of the refinery, and the presentation of the certificate of the Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year Award won by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards held recently in May to Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Ogbe congratulated the Dangote Group on the successful development and commissioning of the largest single train refinery in the world, as well as petrochemical and fertiliser plants, describing the projects as a “historic milestone” not only for Nigeria but for the entire continent. He emphasised that the Dangote refinery stands as a testament to the success of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and the transformative potential of Nigerian-led industrial projects.

“At an optimal daily production capacity of 650,000 barrels, this refinery will significantly enhance Nigeria’s energy security and contribute to the supply of refined petroleum products across West Africa. Nigerians have to own the plant, and we have to make sure that the plant works well. We have to secure it, we have to maintain it,” he said.

NCDMB, he said, would continue to collaborate with the Dangote refinery, while highlighting the need to ensure more value retention in the sector, as mandated by the NOGICD Act.

In his welcome address, the Group Vice President of Oil and Gas at the Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin, highlighted that the Dangote refinery project and NCDMB have been working together, promoting local content development during the construction stages of the project.

“We can’t say we have achieved everything, but there is an opportunity to do more. We are grateful to the NCDMB for all their support and advice. As entrepreneurs, we are trying to optimise costs. It is a Nigerian company, it is also an entrepreneur-driven company. As a Nigerian company, the focus will be on Nigerian content. As an entrepreneur-driven company, it will be cost-focused,” Edwin said.

He underscored the “long-standing commitment of the Dangote Group to national development” and capacity building, remarking that the Group’s vision is to grow Nigeria’s industrial landscape.

Meanwhile, the committee was tasked with ensuring the implementation of local content in refinery operations.

Its core objectives include promoting the use of Nigerian skilled manpower, services, and locally sourced materials in compliance with Section 3 of the NOGICD Act.

They will also support the Dangote refinery in aligning its operational procedures with the Act’s requirements.

In his acceptance remarks, the Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB and Chairman of the Committee, Mr Abdulmalik Halilu, expressed gratitude to the leadership of both organisations. He reiterated the committee’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of local content enforcement and fostering measurable outcomes that would benefit the Nigerian economy.help in the transportation system of the country.”

He described the company as “a frontier in Nigeria’s construction system” and urged it to continue its impactful work across the country.

Responding, Christl expressed gratitude to the organisers and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to high-quality standards. He said, “As it is known for, Julius Berger will always maintain its globally acclaimed quality standard as we continue to transform challenges on the sites into tangible opportunities for the good of all.”

The event also featured a lecture by Opeifa, who called for policy reforms and long-term strategies, including a transition to gas and electric buses. He stressed the need for proper road designs with designated parking spaces to ease congestion, particularly in Lagos.

Dignitaries at the event included the Lagos State Governor, represented by the State Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Akin George Fashola; Assistant Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (Lagos and Ogun States), Ann Oladayo; and the Dean, Lagos State University School of Transport and Logistics, Prof. Charles Asinime.

Other Julius Berger representatives at the event included Oghenerhaye Mercy and Ogunyemi Mobolaji of the MRO.