The construction of a low-cost manufacturing hub for equipment components and spare parts used in the oil and gas industry will soon start in Ondo State, according to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

The industrial park, which is located in Ilaje, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, is one of six being built in different parts of the country under NCDMB’s Oil and Gas Park Scheme.

NCDMB’s Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Akintunde Adelana, disclosed this at the Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit in Akure, Ondo State.

He said the project was conceived to provide “a springboard to galvanise different sectors of the Nigerian economy”.

He remarked that the oil and gas industrial parks, developed by the board in conjunction with Shell Petroleum Development Company, ExxonMobil and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (with particular reference to NOGAPS, Emeyal 1 and NOGAPS, Odukpani), consist of manufacturing shop floors and factories, warehouses, training centres, mini estates, fire stations, truck parking and holding spaces, hostels and administrative blocks.

“They are intended to eliminate importation of equipment components and spares required in oil industry operations,” he said.

Adelana stated that in line with the core mandate of the board, which revolved around domesticating and domiciling value-adding activities in the oil and gas industry, regulations on the utilisation of home-grown resources.

With specific reference to Ondo State, he emphasised that NCDMB wanted “to align with the state government, support the state to ensure that her dreams and aspirations come to reality”.

He said information and communication technology centres had been built in parts of the state to facilitate digital education and equip youth with appropriate skills for gainful employment and self-development.

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