By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote Tuesday urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the various empowerment and employment opportunities made available by the board.
Wabote gave the admonition during the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) 2023 Youth Forum held at the Harold Dappa-Biriye Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The NCDMB boss, who was represented by Mrs. Angela Okoro, General Manager, Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination, stated that the essence of the forum was to hint youths with the board’s activities.
According to him, the annual programme helps participants to know how to benefit from the various opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
He specifically advised participants to register on the NOGIC JQS portal to be qualified for training, contracts and other available opportunities.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, urged participants at the event to utilize every knowledge gained from the programme to achieve productively
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, Diri said, “I want all of you not to sit down and listen but to also participate. Ensure you use whatever you learn here productively,” he said.
One of the resource persons at the event, Dr. Patterson Ogon, called for collaboration between individuals to resolve conflict at home and in their workplaces.
While acknowledging that there are individual behavioural differences, Ogon urged participants to pay attention to the feelings of others, control their emotions and reduce stress levels as some of the mechanisms to resolve conflicts.
On her part, Rachael Souza-Pepple, who is the Coordination Lead of the NLNG Train-7 Project, revealed the immense opportunities of the project.
According to her, the Train-7 Project represents new development opportunities that will generate more jobs and revenues as well as provide sufficient LPGs for the local (Nigerian) market.
Souza-Pepple who disclosed that the project is 54% completed added that it “will also increase our local fabrication capacity.”
She profusely commended the NCDMB for promoting and encouraging Nigerian businesses, urging interested participants to register with the board as vendors to be qualified to execute contracts in the Train-7 project.
“It was an informative and interactive session for us,” said Princess Obuala, a participant, while speaking with Mangrovepen.ng shortly after the programme.
She continued: “We were given enlightenment on the vision of NCDMB, NLNG and the IOCs, including some of the opportunities the youths stand to gain in the oil and gas sector.
Obuala however urged NCDMB to look into some of the concerns raised by the youths, especially in ensuring that the IOCs discharge their corporate social responsibilities in various host communities.
