Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has pledged his Ministry’s commitment to partnering and supporting indigenous firms to deliver President Bola Tinubu’s promises in the gas sector to Nigerians.
This is as the Minister has expressed optimism about the growth of local content in Nigeria’s gas sector after inspecting the state-of-the-art manufacturing and fabrication facilities of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Ltd in Warri, Delta State.
The company’s multi-billion naira manufacturing and fabrication yard can execute projects previously outsourced abroad, aligning with the Nigerian Content law.
Ekpo lauded the management of Lee Engineering for their massive investment and commitment to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector growth, assuring the Ministry’s support for indigenous firms like Lee to deliver the benefits of the gas sector to Nigerians.
He said, “The establishment of this world-class manufacturing and fabrication factory aligns perfectly with our nation’s vision of fostering indigenous capacity and reducing our dependence on imports. And I am impressed with what I have seen here.
“This facility serves as a beacon of hope for our indigenous technical competencies, and what you are doing is a demonstration of the determination to drive the gas sector.
“We are willing to partner with you (Lee Engineering Ltd) to deliver on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promises in the gas sector to Nigerians and to grow the economy of the nation.”
Ekpo was received by the company’s Chairman/Chief Executive, Dr. Lemon Ikpea who also conducted the Minister on a tour of the firm’s multi-billion naira manufacturing and fabrication yard.
Ikpea assured that most oil and gas projects hitherto executed outside the country will now be carried out in-country in line with the aspirations of the Nigerian Content Act.
