By Adedapo Adesanya
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Felix Omatsola, has tasked the new members of the Nigerian Content Research and Development Council (NCRDC) to build a strong research base for the country.
The newly inaugurated members are Mr Omatsola as Chairman, the Director of Research and Development of NCDMB, Mr Isaac Yalah, as the Alternate Chairman; and the General Manager of Research and Development of NCDMB, Mr Silas Ajimajaye, as the Secretary.
Other members include representatives from the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS), National Universities Commission (NUC), and National Board for Technology Incubation, (NBTI). Other institutions represented on the Council include the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
The induction of new members was held during the Council’s 3rd Quarter meeting in Lagos State and followed the exit of some former members from the management of the NCDMB.
The Council’s terms of reference are to advise the NCDMB on criteria and methodology for prioritizing market cum demand-driven research projects, and advice on the appropriate strategies and governance arrangements to attract funding for research projects.
They will also advise the Board on the criteria for the award of research grants and review progress on the impact of such grants on Research projects, Product development and Innovation.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary affirmed NCDMB’s commitment to stimulate indigenous research and development ideas to drive the oil and gas industry and linkage sectors.
He stated that R&D is critical to the growth of Nigerian Content, hence it is one of the enablers of the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap.
He made reference to the success recorded by the NCDMB with Amal Technologies Gas Leak Detection Device and Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Facility at Idu, Abuja as proof of the agency’s contributions to the research and development space.
He charged the new Council to “do more to bring up more research and development into Nigeria”.
He promised that the new Council would review its policies and come up with a framework for accelerating the development of technology in the oil and gas industry.
In his remarks, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Abdulmalik Halilu, who is the outgoing alternate chairman of the Council noted that NCDMB R&D framework is anchored on seven policy thrusts, including a focus on market-driven research, the establishment of world-class Research and Development (R&D) Centers of Excellence, establishment of Research and Development Council and provision of sustainable funding to support R&D.
Other areas of focus include the development of a stakeholder collaboration matrix for Research and Development (R&D), provision of enablers for commercialisation of research breakthroughs and facilitation of acceptance and utilisation of products of research by end users.
He informed that NCDMB had developed a Nigerian Content R&D Roadmap, which aligns with eight pillars, including funding, infrastructure, capacity building, collaboration, capability, commercial framework, governance, legal framework and enforcement.