Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote has urged Nigerians, especially players in the energy sector not to weaponize the country’s energy resources.
Delivering a keynote address at the opening day of a 2-day summit on ‘Nigerian Content Midstream/Downstream Oil & Gas,’ organised by the NCMB, the executive secretary said a situation in which supply and demand for energy resources are weaponized is very precarious for an import-dependent country like Nigeria.
According to Wabote, there is need for stakeholders to maximize the potentials of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream sectors to ensure energy security and national pride.
“The direct social impact brought by a productive and efficient midstream and downstream sector of the oil and gas industry is another potential that needs to be maximized.
“There is a sense of pride for any citizen who has the confidence that he or she could take availability of energy sources for granted in whatever form such as electricity, fuels, gas, and others. These have direct correlation to quality of life, productivity, life expectancy, and social harmony,” he said.
He expressed delight that the board has laid the foundations towards achieving the potentials in the midstream and downstream sectors of the economy. He congratulated the honorable minister of state for petroleum, Mr. Timipre Sylva, for providing what he described as “superb initiatives” put in place to position the energy industry for the impending windfalls.
The NCMDB boss stated that the Board’s regulatory role is not to stifle the industry but to provide enabling, and inclusive, business environment for businesses to thrive with the active participation of critical stakeholders.
“We are for the development of the oil and gas industry which is why the word DEVELOPMENT is specifically included in the name of our agency. It is important to highlight that this development goal goes beyond the oil and gas but has linkage to other sector of the economy covering construction, ICT, agriculture, research and development, education, and others,” he said.
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