By Barnabas Abu-Ngam
In a significant leadership transition, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe as the new Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Replacing Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote after his seven and a half years of dedicated service, Ogbe brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the future.
A seasoned oil and gas engineer with over 37 years of diverse experience, Ogbe, an indigene of Warri South, Delta State, holds separate Masters Degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.
His extensive career encompasses core oil and gas operations, local content expertise, and a global perspective gained from working in Nigeria, across Africa, South Korea, and the USA.
His professional journey includes significant roles at Chevron Corporation, where he held top positions both in Nigeria and overseas. His responsibilities ranged from Construction Services Group Superintendent to Offshore Projects Manager, demonstrating his expertise in engineering designs, project management, and facility maintenance.
Key functions of the NCDMB include reviewing and approving Nigerian Content plans, setting guidelines for content levels in oil and gas projects, conducting capacity-building initiatives, managing the Nigerian Content Development Fund, and monitoring compliance by operators and service providers.
The Board also awards Certificates of Authorization for projects adhering to Nigerian Content provisions. The history of NCDMB traces back to 2001 when President Olusegun Obasanjo initiated the Presidential Committee on Local Content in the Oil and Gas Industry.
The NOGICD Bill, passed by the National Assembly during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, led to the establishment of NCDMB, with Dr. Ernest Nwapa as the pioneer Executive Secretary, followed by Arc Denzel Kentebe and Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote. READ ALSO:
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As Felix Omatsola Ogbe takes the helm at NCDMB, his wealth of experience, strategic focus, and commitment to collaboration and progress position him as a dynamic leader with a vision for the future. The Nigerian oil and gas industry can anticipate continued growth and innovation under his leadership.
*Abu-Ngam is a public affairs analyst.
