Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd (HEOSL), operators of the OML 30 assets, have empowered indigenous contractors with the knowledge and skills in procurement and contracting for the Oil & Gas industry.
The capacity building workshop for Indigenous contractors was held on behalf of the Joint Venture between Nigeria National Petroleum Company, E&P Limited (NEPL), and Shoreline Natural Resources Ltd (SNRL) at Ughelli, Delta State.
General Manager, Government, Joint Venture and External Relations, Sola Adebawo, HEOSL, in his address, told the contractors that the workshop was in recognition of their vital roles in the company’s operations.
Mr. Adebawo, who was represented by Mr. Felix Usiwo, Manager, Nigeria Content Department (HEOSL), said, “We value the contributions of our local community vendors in enhancing our operational excellence.”
According to him, “efforts in fostering peace, understanding, and development between the asset and communities have been instrumental to our collective successes.”
He said the workshop was designed to support and empower the indigenous contractors with the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the challenges in procurement and contracting for the Oil & Gas industry and leverage the opportunities ahead.
He emphasized that the workshop embodies the organiser’s “corporate beliefs and aligns with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 which mandates local content as an important element of project development and execution”.
Speaking in the same vein, Dr. Jeremiah Oharisi, HEOSL Manager, Community Relations, told the participants that the policy thrust of HEOSL is to encourage local contractors’ participation to create a process that encourages them to do business with the company.
He added that the strategy will go a long way in creating wealth and empowerment within the communities as well as encourage expertise and capacity.
In kicking off the resource delivery session, Engr. Mabel Obonin of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), took the participants through the contracting and tendering process in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 (NOGICD) as well as the NCDMB mandate.
She took the vendors through different contractual stages, including opportunity, technical, and commercial phases, to award recommendations as well as tender administration.
Other areas she addressed included registration with the relevant regulatory agencies, monitoring & evaluation services, categorization, capacity building, and funding structure, among others.
Other resource persons at the session included Mr. Echerebor Solomon, the HEOSL Manager, Contract and Procurement (C&P), who spoke on vendor selection and tendering processes, CAC, and NIPEX registration.
Head of Heritage Energy Internal Audit and Control, Mrs. Ebehi Odejobi, expatiated on the company’s commitment to the highest integrity and the need for all stakeholders to comply with rules and regulations.
Also, Mr. Babatunde Yusuf and Mr. Ezekiel Oghenekaro, both from the HEOSL Finance Department, enlightened the participants on contractual payments and procedures, etc.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the OML 30 Joint Venture Partners, NEPL, delivered by Mr. Oghenero Omowara on behalf of the Manager, Community Relations Department, Alhaji Dahiru Abubakar, and SNRL conveyed by Barr. Abasiama Umohatah who represented the General Counsel/GM, External Communications, Mrs. Lara Coker.
There was also a message from the Management of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Another highlight of the workshop, which drew registered contractors from all the clusters that make up OML 30, was the questions and answers session.
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