Mkpoikana Udoma
24 January 2018, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, NSCHE, has tasked the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, to ensure that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is able to produce all of its equipment before the year 2027.
The Chemical Engineers explained that the continuous importation of materials used by oil and gas exploration firms for their daily operations, was affecting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, adding that all those material being imported can be manufactured locally.
Speaking at the 47th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the body, held in Port Harcourt, the National President of NSCHE, Prof. Sam Adefila, called for adequate funding of technical schools and polytechnics in order to produce personnel that can effect positive changes to the economy through research.
Adefila stated that the nation was endowed with numerous resources that are used in producing the chemical materials used in oil fields.
He, however, commended the Federal Government for focusing on monitoring local content application in the petroleum sector over the last seven years through NCDMB.
According to him, “Most of the chemicals currently being used in Nigeria are imported. However, the raw materials for these chemicals are available locally in large quantities and could be sourced and processed for use in oilfield operations.
“Oil well drilling, well completion and production enhancement require the use of several chemicals known as oilfield chemicals.
“The Local Content Board should focus on the promotion of value addition in Nigeria through the utilization of these local raw materials.
The NSCHE helmsman lamented that lack of research and development in this area has robbed the country of enormous opportunities to create jobs, generate new knowledge and develop skills.
“Research and development fuel the engine that powers a nation’s economy, especially in a knowledge-based economy of the 21st century.
“Design and fabrication of facilities in the country is another area that should be pursued vigorously.
“Design and fabrication of pressure vessels, reactors, heat exchangers and steel pipes of various grades, specifications and sizes will improve the GDP of the nation,” NSCHE said.
