REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has organised a capacity-building workshop for media stakeholders in Anambra State.
The training, held in Awka the state capital, is aimed at improving the quality of local content reporting and strengthening the role of the media in the oil and gas sector.
Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that Anambra State was chosen as the venue because it’s position as the third highest oil-producing state in the South-East zone.
Currently , Anambra state produces about 3,000 barrels of crude oil per daily.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager Corporate Communications of the NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, said it was important for the people of Anambra to become fully aware of the opportunities available in the oil and gas industry.
He listed the opportunities to include trainings, jobs, windows for immediate employment and empowerment programmes under the local content policy.
Dr. Ezeobi explained that the media remains a key stakeholder in driving the campaign and sensitisation for the local content policy.
He noted that many government programmes and policies in the past failed because of poor or inadequate media engagement.
Dr. Ezeobi expressed confidence that effective media partnership would enable Anambra State to fully benefit from the oil and gas sector, grow its economy, create more jobs and accelerate the overall development of the state and its people.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mazi Sam Onyechi, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Omomehin Ajimijaye, said the activities of the Board are not restricted to any particular part of the country but cover the entire nation.
He noted that the Board has programmes and projects across the country and encouraged the youths of Anambra State to take advantage of the organisational portal by applying for the many opportunities available, including project proposals.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation in Anambra State, Dr. Law Mefor, thanked the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board for choosing the state as venue for its capacity-building workshop for media stakeholders.
Dr. Mefor expressed concern that Anambra has not fully benefited from the local content sector and called on the Board to address the imbalance.
The event was attended by media practitioners drawn from different organizations within the state as well as stakeholders from the oil and gas sector.
