The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Ede Dafinone, in a renewed push to deepen local content and empower Nigerian citizens, recently participated in a two-day oversight visit to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) headquarters at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The visit, which included members of the Senate Committee on Local Content, was led by the Committee Chairman, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas. It formed part of the Senate’s oversight responsibilities aimed at strengthening institutions, promoting job creation, and ensuring optimal use of Nigeria’s natural resources for the benefit of the people.
However, Senator Dafinone, a respected technocrat and public servant, expressed his deep passion for the advancement of Delta Central and Nigeria in general. He emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s natural wealth to uplift communities, noting that as lawmakers their focus remain attracting sustainable development to Nigerians.
“As a representative of Delta Central, my duty is to ensure our people (Nigerians) are not left behind in national development. Local content policy must reflect in real empowerment, job creation, and infrastructural growth for our region,” he stated during the tour.
The Senate delegation held extensive technical sessions with the leadership of NCDMB, led by Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe. Discussions focused on key initiatives, policy implementation strategies, and challenges in the oil and gas sector, particularly those related to local participation.
Nevertheless, the team commended the Board’s efforts in driving Nigerian participation in the oil and gas value chain. They also reviewed ongoing projects, capacity-building programs, and the progress made towards increasing Nigerian ownership and expertise in the sector.
Senator Dafinone reiterated the need for equitable distribution of oil and gas benefits across regions, stressing that Delta Central, being part of the oil-producing Niger Delta, deserves robust infrastructure, skills training centers, and economic opportunities for its people.
Similarly, the visit also served as a platform for lawmakers to assess the impact of previous legislative interventions and gather insights to shape future policies that enhance the effectiveness of the local content framework.
Moreso, with this oversight visit, Senator Dafinone continues to demonstrate his dedication to quality representation and development-driven leadership, reinforcing his commitment to the growth of Delta Central and the broader Nigerian economy.
Signed:
Media Unit, Office of Distinguished Senator Ede Dafinone.
Saturday, June 7 2025.
