Community contractors in the Niger Delta have rejected a new directive by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, over the 1% remittance, noting it is already taken by the International Oil Companies, IOC.
They argued that they need not another certificate from NCDMB, “we vehemently reject it, the one we have is enough headache.”
The community contractors spoke through the Managing Director of Armored Energy, Eket Akwa Ibom State, Etobom Ekpo during the Stakeholders Sensitization on the Compliance Certificate System, Upgraded NCDF Payment Portal and the Revised Community Contractor Scheme.
They noted, “Sometimes, it takes endless months which make some community contractors to abandon pursuing the contract and continue to live in poverty.”
Rising from the sensitization meeting in Uyo, the contractors said the new requirement was introduced without consultation and would further delay payments, frustrate small businesses, and defeat the purpose of local content, adding that NCDMB should focus on its core mandate of capacity development of the community contractors and not acting as a clog in their wheels.
“NCDMB is a regulatory board and not a revenue-generating agency. They should focus on their core mandate. The policy is getting worse by the year, and so many contractors are not having their content equipment certificates,” he stated.
Ekpo who described the demand as irrelevant, advised the NCDMB to learn from Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, adding if they want to charge for certificates, they should come out plain, instead of saying the certificate is free and it takes ages to get it.
He also advised management to get staff trained on the core mandate / objectives of the board without frustrating the contractors.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Felix Ogbe who did the unveiling of the digital portal was represented by Emmanuel Yusuf said the various online platforms were aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and improving contract administration in the oil and gas industry.
The digital platforms include the online Compliance Certificate System. An upgraded NCDF Payment Portal and a revised Community Contractor Service.
Speaking further to the stakeholders in Uyo, Ogbe said the digital platforms align with the national vision of making business easier and promoting accountability.
“For operators and contractors, it means faster access to funding. For regulators, stronger oversight and improved data collation.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) pledged support for vendors and NCDMB operations to ensure the success of the initiative.
The representative of the Bank of Industry, Mrs Olamide Oladele, explained the various financial opportunities available to indigenous entrepreneurs operating in the oil and gas industry.
“With the launch of the new portal, the bank is ready to provide finances to support businesses in the oil and gas industry.”
SOURCE: Champion Newspapers
