Discussions are currently ongoing between the Nigerian Content and Development Monitoring Board and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited for the production of 1.2 million gas cylinders every year.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Simbi Wabote, revealed this on the sideline of a media conference in Abuja announcing the 2023 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair.
The yearly conference which will hold in Bayelsa State is themed; ‘The Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialisation of Nigeria.’
According to Wabote, the proposed 1.2 million gas cylinder production annually is the Federal Government’s push towards achieving 70 per cent local content in the oil and gas sector by 2027.
“Currently, Niygas been able to achieve 50 per cent local content, and NCDMB and NLNG are currently partnering to grow it up to 70 per cent in the area of local production of gas cylinders to curb importation,” he said.
Although he did not mention how much fund has been set aside for the project, Wabote stressed that talks were being ramped up to begin the process as soon as possible.
The executive secretary added that it was able achieve 50 per cent local content with the NLNG’s Train 7 gas project, adding that the proposed Train 8 would be another avenue through which the country would reach 70 per cent local participation.
He however added that it was impossible for Nigeria to attain 100 per cent local content, as it would still have to depend on the rest of the world for technologies that could not be sourced in-country.
Wabote said the board’s goal is to use the NOGOF conference to promote, drive and showcase more business opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
“We believe that this year’s theme is important as it fuels the need for industrialisation and development of the Nigerian economy.
“In the past, virtually every project in the oil and gas sector was done outside the country, but as of today, we have been able to retain 54 per cent of such projects in-country in terms of value and monetary,” he said.
According to him, this year’s conference will include technical and opportunity session, networking, and awards ceremony.
