…approves N2.6trn economic sustainability plan
The Federal Government says it has approved N2.6trn economic sustainability plan to boost local production, sciences and innovations for the local manufacturers in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari made this known on Thursday during the virtual inauguration of the 17-storey building of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Buhari, who expressed his administration’s commitment in encouraging local content and ensure job creation among the people, commended the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote and his team for the completion of the project.
He said two of the executive orders which his administration signed were related to enforcement of local content and to promote local purchases of oil and gas equipment.
According to him, the completion of NCDMB tower, which has 17-storey building, 1,000 seater conference hall, multi-level car park, showed the commitment of his administration in infrastructural renaissance.
The President said: “This project, during its construction generated direct jobs to our teeming youths and with the opening today, it brings to the fore our zeal in empowering our citizens and give them opportunity to grow in their business endeavours.
“That is why, two of the executive orders under our government are related to enforcement of local contents. We have recently approved N2.6 trillion economy sustainability plans, the plan is aimed at promoting local production, sciences and innovations.
“The impact of the pandemic has further shown that we have to produce what we eat, and make export. All these policy directives and programmes are also meant to address some of the causative factors of insecurity and provide employment opportunities for our citizens. It also helps businesses to complete, compete and grow our social means of livelihood.”
Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, who represented the President in the inauguration that attracted notable politicians, traditional rulers and captains of oil industry, said the completion and inauguration of the NCDMB tower was salute to Buhari’s commitment for continuity.
He said the completion of the project is a key achievement in the portfolio of priority given to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, adding that the President had worked to change the narrative of oil and gas industry for better.
Sylva stated: “The inauguration of this building is symbolic in many ways: it shows that Mr. President is keen to see infrastructural development in every part of the country; it shows that skyscrapers and other laudable infrastructures can be built in the Niger Delta.
“It equally shows that indigenous contractors can perform wonders when given the right opportunities. It shows that the people of Bayelsa and indeed the entire Niger Delta are receptive to development and it also goes to show that Nigerian content is here to stay.
“I want to highlight that part of this symbolic development is the construction of the 10MW gas-powered plant in partnership with NAOC JV to service the new headquarters building and the NCDMB industrial park under construction.”
The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, said 95 per cent of the manpower used in the construction of the edifice was sourced from local manpower.
Wabote said: “We put a lot of thought into the design of the building not only to bring out a magnificent edifice but we also focused on the subsequent usage covering the ergonomics, acoustics, security, safety, energy efficiency and maintenance.
“Some of the specifics include the use of fire-retardant façade, intelligent Building Management System that cuts down power consumption by 25 per cent, the provision of an over-hanging cradle on the roof slab to clean the four sides of the building, zero voice transmission through the walls of the conference centre, scissors design in the ramp of the multi-level car park to avoid head-on collision, and many others too numerous to mention.
“All these have been done using the dexterity of a local Nigerian architect, Walter Odusote and other Nigerian consultants to design and supervise the project execution. The main contractor, MEGASTAR is Nigerian with several other Nigerian sub-contractors that worked day and night to deliver this world-class building with impressive safety statistics.
“The material used is 76% Nigerian content with the tiles, electrical cables, granite, and many other building materials produced in Nigeria. The manpower used for services and labour is over 95% Nigerian content. The skills transferred to the local workforce in the construction of a high-rise building has been unprecedented.
“We are proud of the end-to-end thinking that went into the design and execution of this project which is typical of what we do in the Nigerian Content Board. That is why we also partnered NAOC JV to provide the 10MW gas-powered plant to provide reliable power supply to the new headquarters building.
In his goodwill address, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, said the outstanding structure, not only significantly improves the aesthetics of Yenagoa city and profoundly advances its landscape, it also fully aligned with the Urban Renewal policy of his administration and it represents a useful benchmark to set our targets as a state against.
He said it was further worth mentioning that the landmark project was executed by an indigenous construction company.
He said: “I am pleased to also hear that the 10 megawatts Power Plant of the Tower which was constructed by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the Tower and also to “the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park being developed by the Board at Emeyal and some select structures in the state.
“Such carefully thought-through and integrated project crafting marks an important milestone in the way to go in developing a country we can all be proud of. The COVID-19 outbreak is a global public health crisis, forcing the world to think in creative and interdependent ways.
“One of the consequences of this pandemic is that this inauguration is virtual. This is the new normal. We are living in interesting times. The world as we know it is fast evolving. To successfully navigate the uncertain times that we face, collaboration and teamwork is inevitable. Close cooperation between different tiers of government is essential so that we can create a strong direction for development. We must be more deliberate and inclined to work across party lines.”