March 19, 2024

Buhari, Olu of Warri, others eulogize Chief Leemon Ikpea for entrenching local content

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Oredola Adeola

 

President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Tom Ikimi and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and other top dignitaries have lauded Chief Dr. Leemon Ikpea, Group Managing Director, Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, and its management for the company’s immense contributions to the entrenchment of local content act in the oil and gas sector in the past 30 years.

This came as the company in appreciation of commitment and diligence of hardwork gave share holding to some of it’s foundational members.

The commendation was part of the major highlights of the thanksgiving reception commemorating the company’s 30th anniversary of the indigenous engineering group, which was held on Sunday at the company’s complex along NPA expressway in Warri, Delta State.

President Buhari, while felicitating with the indigenous oil and gas firm, lauded the company for its efforts in positively impacting the country’s local content policy on the oil and gas industry as well as providing jobs for thousands over the past three decades.

Speaking through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari lauded Chief Ikpea for attaining such a milestone, praying God to continue to guide him to attain greater heights.

The President said, “The President greets the Chairman of the Group, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, the management and staff, as they celebrate the milestone with a thanksgiving service, November 28, 2021.

“I salute the commitment and resourcefulness of the engineering group, which undertakes key projects in the oil and gas industry that used to be the exclusive preserve of multinational companies,” the President’s statement read.

President Buhari, while wishing the company greater successes ahead, urged the firm to ensure that local content remains a focal area, while providing jobs for more Nigerians.

Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, who was represented by three palace chiefs, while expressing joy at the company’s attainment, averred that the indigenous company has fulfilled its course and has till date maintained strong integrity, commitment diligence and hardwork.

Olu of Warri said, “As a major employer of labour in our community, Lee Engineering is an example that all individuals should emulate to better our society.
“We continue to pray for more successes of your company that it grow from strength to strength,” the revered royal father prayed.

Meanwhile, founder and chairman of Lee Engineering Group, Dr. Ikpea, at the occasion elevated five foundational members as shareholders. They are Hon. Dr. Joseph. I. Ikpea, Executive. Director, Administration; Engr. Anthony Ikpea, Executive Director, Operations and Projects; Mrs. Becky Elijah, Office and Clients Manager; Mr. Godwin Abhulimen, General Manager, Business Development/ Relations and Mr. Benjamin Ebalukhota, Group Chief Financial Controller.

Founded on November 11, 1991 by an oil and gas industrialist, Chief Leemon Ikpea, LEE Engineering Group has, over the years, grown to become a key actor in the oil, gas and power and manufacturing industry.

Speaking on behalf of the new shareholders, Mr. Godwin Abhulimen, General Manager, Business Development/ Relations; disclosed that the company has just achieved a very major milestone.

He said, “We are celebrating 30 years of existence and project delivery in the oil and gas industry. Over the years, we have been doing excellently well. The thanksgiving is a way of giving thanks to God for the feat achieved thus far.

“It feel great to have been elevated into a status of a shareholder. This is a rear privilege and it appears to be the first in the history of Nigeria that some company’s staff would be elevated as shareholders.

“Well , I am so happy it’s not an easy thing and I want to thank the chairman for his magnanimity for seeing us worthy to be given such level of recognition and level of choice. For him he his appreciating our efforts and we have learnt quite a lot, trying to feat into his work ethics and vision for the company.”

He, however, noted that the company will continue to play significant role in the oil and gas industry most especially in a local content company. We will continue to deliver on our job deliveries, competing favourably with multinationals.

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