Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) don release new guidelines to clean up oil and gas contracting process, as part of move to block middlemen and companies wey no get technical capacity from collecting industry contracts.
In a statement wey Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, sign on Sunday, di board announce di release of Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) Application Guidance Notes, wey go take effect from December 2025.
According to NCDMB, di new guidance go help speed up contracting processes, reduce abuse of NCEC certificates and also cut Nigeria cost of oil production.
Di board explain say di document na part of steps to implement Presidential Directives on Local Content Requirements, wey direct NCDMB to remove intermediaries wey no get proven capacity from di oil and gas contracting value chain.
NCDMB stress say NCEC na one of di major requirements for any company wey wan participate for oil and gas contracts in Nigeria.
“One of di key requirements to take part for Nigerian oil and gas contracting process na possession of NCEC wey NCDMB issue,” di board talk.
Di board warn say misuse of di certificate don continue to slow down di sector, noting say unqualified firms dey use NCEC wrongly during bidding and tender evaluation.
“Unmerited possession or wrong use of NCECs dey cause delay for contract award and dey allow unqualified middlemen enter di process,” di statement add.
Explaining why di new rules dey necessary, NCDMB say di guidance notes go tackle common abuses like multiple NCEC applications wey no match real capacity, submission of fake documents, under-declaration of staff, non-existent offices or equipment, and other sharp practices.
Di board add say di new system go also help genuine service companies get faster approval, since di guidance clearly list all requirements to submit correct application at once.
NCDMB further explain say dem dey issue NCEC across eight categories, including Manufacturing, Fabrication and Construction, Construction and Moveable Equipment, Services and Support, Quality Control and Testing, Non-Moveable Assets, Procurement and Supplies, and Consultancy Services.
Service companies don dey advised to clearly state dia specific services and upload strong evidence when applying through di NCEC application portal.
Di board also make am clear say no fee dey charged for application, processing or approval of NCEC or any other NCDMB certification, warning companies make dem no use agents or third parties.
“In line with Presidential directive on Local Content compliance, NCDMB ban use of agents, middlemen or third parties to submit NCEC applications,” di board stress.
It add say any service company registered on NOGIC-JQS go be fully responsible for any document or claim wey dem submit using dia login details.
Reacting to di new guidance, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, urge oil and gas stakeholders to study di document well before applying.
“Submission of forged or fake documents na criminal offence and go attract legal action, apart from administrative sanctions from di board,” Ogbe warn.
He also reveal say NCDMB don set clear timelines for processing NCEC applications, adding say di portal dey record time stamps for every stage from submission to final approval.
According to him, di new rules go promote transparency, credibility and fairness in Nigeria oil and gas contracting system.
