President Muhammadu Buhari will commission the newly completed 17-storey headquarters building of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), located at Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State today Thursday 13th, 2020.
President Buhari will perform the commissioning virtually after undertaking a virtual tour of the Nigerian Content edifice, together with other accompanying facilities-the 1000-Seater Capacity Auditorium, Four-Level Car Park and 10 megawatts gas-fired Independent Power Plant at Elebele.
Buhari will perform the commissioning virtually after undertaking a virtual tour of the Nigerian Content edifice, together with other accompanying facilities-the 1000-Seater Capacity Auditorium, Four-Level Car Park and 10 megawatts gas-fired Independent Power Plant at Elebele. The power plant was constructed in partnership with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and will provide uninterrupted electricity to the NCDMB structures, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park being developed by the Board at Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State and select structures in the state. 
Providing details of the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Wabote Simbi, explained that part of the event will be held in Yenagoa.
According to him, the Minister for State Petroleum Resource, Chief Timipre Sylva will lead the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari and the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri to participate in the event on site.
Engr. Simbi also disclosed that the Board had concluded arrangements for live telecast of the event on NTA, Channels TV, TVC and AriseTV from 11.30am as well as on the Board’s social media platforms, to create ample opportunities for members of the public to witness the event.
The ultra-modern Nigerian Content Tower was started in 2015, executed by an indigenous company, Megastar Technical & Construction, using mostly locally sourced materials and labour.
The project generated over 250 direct and indirect jobs and created vast opportunities for artisanal skill development.
In his comments, the Executive Secretary applauded the technical competence of the main contractor, and other sub-contractors, highlighting that they delivered a world class project within the specified timeline.
He confirmed that the Board utilized the project successfully to create jobs, impact skills, procure local goods as well as change the landscape of Bayelsa State.
Represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Patrick Daziba Obah during the handing over of the project, he commended the safety records achieved on the project, particularly for the fact that there was no Loss Time Injury (LTI). He stated that “beyond just giving us a beautiful edifice, the project safety statistics have been very impressive for a building of this size.”
He described the completed NCDMB Headquarters as a clear demonstration that Nigerian companies can deliver complex projects to the desired quality level, cost and schedule, if given opportunities.
He hinted that the handover marked the beginning of another key phase in the activities of the Board as it will require a step up in its assets management capabilities.
Arch. Harcourt Adukeh stated that the project employed over 600 Nigerians at the peak of construction, with over 70 percent of them drawn from Bayelsa State. He expressed delight that a good number of the workers were women and they had been mobilized to other construction sites and would also work for Megastar in forthcoming projects, in view of their proficiency and dedication.
He extolled the Executive Secretary of NCDMB for deploying his rich technical background and projects experience, which helped to ensure the success of the project. “We would say that we are highly privileged to have a client like NCDMB, their timely response and unalloyed support paved way for the success we have recorded”, he said.
He confirmed that the company executed a total of 4,916,223 manhours on the project and worked for 1,542 days on site without any Loss Time Injury (LTI).
While appreciating the consultants that worked on the project, he pleaded that Nigerian contractors should be given more opportunities as they can deliver projects with bigger expectations.
He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, for facilitating timely approvals which contributed immensely to the delivery of the project.
