23 March 2015, Sweetcrude, Lagos – Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Dr. Ernest Nwapa, is excited that indigenous oil servicing companies have developed capacity to acquire and operate hi-tech assets and could participate in every segment of the oil and gas industry notwithstanding the challenges.
Nwapa hailed the emergence of a new breed of Nigerian investors and the quantum of investments they are making in the oil and gas sector at the unveiling ceremony for the $170 million Petrolog Group’s newly acquired DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel, believed be the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Petrolog’s acquisition of the DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel has been widely described as a major feat in the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act.
The saturation diving vessel, christened DSV Vinnice, is equipped for shallow and deep water operations and can be used for construction, repair and maintenance of oil-rigs and other offshore naval constructions.
Restating that Nigerian Content was a national agenda, Nwapa added that the Federal Government has started to extend the implementation of the policy to the power and information technology sectors following the huge success recorded in the oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary also stated that real Nigerian Content accomplishment would only come when vessels such as DSV Vinnice are constructed in Nigeria, expressing hope that any other such vessel to be acquired by a Nigerian investor will be outfitted at the Naval Dockyard Lagos and some of the components manufactured in-country.
He assured that his Board was working with the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to ensure that any major asset acquired by a Nigerian investor gets deployed in the industry as doing otherwise will negatively affect the banks that funded the acquisition as well as make it difficult for other companies to get similar credit from Nigerian banks.
Nwapa recalled that the Board made ownership of assets a key plank of implementation because it provided the opportunity for exposing the technology to other Nigerians.
He also announced that the Board will henceforth make it a requirement for all contracting entities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to adopt a faculty or department in any Nigerian university and develop a programme that allow the students to learn on the company’s assets as a means of bridging the gap between universities and the oil and gas industry.
Giving his welcome address, the Chairman of Petrolog Group, Dr. Joseph Ebuh, described the Nigerian Content Act as the greatest boost to the company’s growth. He stated that “since the Act came into effect, we have been emboldened to take giant steps and risks to meet existing demand.”
He commended the NCDMB for its implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, which according to him has created opportunities for indigenous companies to thrive.
In his comments, the Managing Director of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya confirmed that the bank supported Petrolog in the acquisition of the DSV Vinnice, affirming the bank’s readiness to support infrastructural development and local content.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Engr. Jonathan Okeys described the vessel as a welcome addition to the contracting pool, especially at a time industry operations were becoming more complex and moving into the deep offshore.
Petrolog’s acquisition of the DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel has been widely described as a major feat in the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act.
The saturation diving vessel, christened DSV Vinnice, is equipped for shallow and deep water operations and can be used for construction, repair and maintenance of oil-rigs and other offshore naval constructions.
Restating that Nigerian Content was a national agenda, Nwapa added that the Federal Government has started to extend the implementation of the policy to the power and information technology sectors following the huge success recorded in the oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary also stated that real Nigerian Content accomplishment would only come when vessels such as DSV Vinnice are constructed in Nigeria, expressing hope that any other such vessel to be acquired by a Nigerian investor will be outfitted at the Naval Dockyard Lagos and some of the components manufactured in-country.
He assured that his Board was working with the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to ensure that any major asset acquired by a Nigerian investor gets deployed in the industry as doing otherwise will negatively affect the banks that funded the acquisition as well as make it difficult for other companies to get similar credit from Nigerian banks.
Nwapa recalled that the Board made ownership of assets a key plank of implementation because it provided the opportunity for exposing the technology to other Nigerians.
He also announced that the Board will henceforth make it a requirement for all contracting entities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to adopt a faculty or department in any Nigerian university and develop a programme that allow the students to learn on the company’s assets as a means of bridging the gap between universities and the oil and gas industry.
Giving his welcome address, the Chairman of Petrolog Group, Dr. Joseph Ebuh, described the Nigerian Content Act as the greatest boost to the company’s growth. He stated that “since the Act came into effect, we have been emboldened to take giant steps and risks to meet existing demand.”
He commended the NCDMB for its implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, which according to him has created opportunities for indigenous companies to thrive.
In his comments, the Managing Director of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya confirmed that the bank supported Petrolog in the acquisition of the DSV Vinnice, affirming the bank’s readiness to support infrastructural development and local content.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Engr. Jonathan Okeys described the vessel as a welcome addition to the contracting pool, especially at a time industry operations were becoming more complex and moving into the deep offshore.