Nigerian business owners are growing and contributing positively to national development in terms of their capacities and capabilities,the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote, has said

Wabote, who said this during the inauguration of Tag Energy Ltd., a valve service centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers, commended the efforts of the state government for creating an enabling environment for businesses to initiate and complete their growth plans within the city rather than relocating.

Nigerian oil and gas service companies,he said, play very crucial roles in the provision of services for the sustenance and growth of the oil and gas industry.

He added:“We currently have about 8,500 service companies registered in the NCDMB NOGIC-JQS portal (Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System), an electronic platform for data consolidation on all major activities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. These companies are offering diverse services including engineering, fabrication, procurement, drilling services, logistics.

“Others are seismic services, installation and commissioning, inspection and testing, project management, finance and insurance, among others as listed in the schedule of NOGICD Act (2010). In 2021 alone, 1,299 oil and gas service providers registered on our NOGIC-JQS platform in a remarkable rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic downturn.

“We are here today to celebrate the achievement of one of the resilient companies offering some of these services to the industry. As a result, the company is slowly and steadily making its mark in the provision of top-notch services to a diverse clientele in the oil and gas industry,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Tag Energy Ltd., Mr Yemi Gbadamosi, said the inauguration of a new valve service centre would serve as training ground for young Nigerians.

“Our investments in this modest facility is not only to provide premium services to our clients. It is also to serve as a training center for young Nigerians especially those from our host communities who suffer more of the negative impact of the exploration and production activities.

“Moreover, it makes good business sense to be nearer to where our products and services are required.

“As a socially responsible entity, we will offer paid internships to qualifying students to produce a steady stream of skilled resources for the industry, further reducing our dependence on foreigners for ongoing maintenance and support activities”