Nigeria embarks on tour for Shell showcasing local players
Adewale Akintaro
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has embarked on a tour of Brightwaters Energy Ltd. (formerly Willbros Nigeria Ltd.), Solewant Nigeria Ltd., and Pipe Coaters Nigeria’s facilities for Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.
The Board intended to showcase the capabilities of local companies, putting them in a pole position to serve the oil and gas industry instead of international players. The Board has given assurances to oil and gas stakeholders that service companies and other manufacturers that have established capacities in the country will continue to enjoy patronage through the award of contracts.
During the visits, the NCDMB Executive Secretary NCDMB Engr. Felix Omatsola underscored the importance of getting first-hand information on in-country capabilities before making key decisions on oil and gas projects. He insisted that operating companies must support and patronize local oil and gas service companies in compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, the NCDMB said in a press release.
The chief executive of Brightwaters Energy, Scott Gregory, conveyed the company’s aspiration to return the firm to high-performance levels and sought the Board’s support for the company to win oil and gas projects.
The chairman of Tenaris Nigeria, Ernest Nwapa, the former executive secretary of NCDMB, highlighted that long-pending oil and gas projects are now progressing after almost ten years. He hopes to optimize existing local capacities in executing these projects.
At Solewant Group, an EPCI and Pipe Coating Company, the NCDMB delegation was shown around the company’s facilities as well as new investments, such as five-megawatt generators, procured to guarantee power supply to the facility.
