Flood: NCDMB shifts annual Practical Nigerian Content Conference from Yenagoa to Uyo

By Adeleye Kunle

The management of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has raised alarm over the threat of flood to its Practical Nigerian Content Conference 2022.

The event is a major annual conference for stakeholders in the oil and gas sector around the country, usually held at the Commission’s headquarters in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, who announced that the conference has been moved to Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, noted that the East-West Road, which is one of the major arteries to the state has been badly impacted making it difficult for human and vehicular movements.

In a statement sent to Track News, through the office of Cooperate Communications, Engr. Wabote said the event would still be held on the scheduled dates, from 5th to 8th December 2022, and would attract major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry from across Nigeria.

Wabote explained that the change in venue for the conference was due to the unprecedented flood situation that has ravaged 31 states in the country.

He said: “We are saddened to come to the realization that the event is now threatened due to the unprecedented flooding that affected 31 states in the country, including Bayelsa State with most parts of the state seriously affected, including Yenagoa, the state capital and host city for the event.

“While we acknowledge that the flood has begun to recede, it is doubtful that significant recoveries would be made from now to the date of the event, which is about six weeks away.”

He pointed out that facilities on ground in Yenagoa for the hosting of the PNC 2022 ―hotels, eateries, small businesses, service providers and logistics support―have also been heavily impacted.

He added: “Most of our operational vehicles that would provide logistic support to the PNC team are also stuck either in Port Harcourt, Rivers State or Warri, Delta State due to the state of the East-West Road. In view of the foregoing, I am constrained to write to inform all staff of the movement of the venue of the PNC 2022 from Yenagoa to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to hold on the same date