Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has challenged the lead contractors in the construction of NLNG’s Train-7, Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo, SCD JV and subcontractors to set Nigerian Content records during the project implementation phase.
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, also charged the contractors to adopt ‘we can do it here’ spirit with respect to jobs creation, trainings for new skills, in-country capacity utilization, addition of new capabilities, research and development, and uncommon innovation.
While commending Saipem for the in-country capacity it had developed over the years, Wabote said the company (Saipem) was obligated to use the project to pull along other smaller Nigerian businesses.
The NCDMB boss spoke at the kick-off meeting for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction components of the project.
He described the signing of the Train-7 contract in the middle of COVID-19 as a global record, adding that it gave Nigerians the most-needed boost in the midst of the current challenging times.
“We must not just limit ourselves to the Nigerian Content levels contained in the Nigerian Content Plan and the Nigerian Content Compliance Certificate.
“We must push the boundaries so that upon completion we can brag about the values that the project would have added to the oil and gas industry as well as the country at large.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of NLNG, Engr. Tony Attah, has assured that the company will collaborate with the contractors and the Board to deliver the agreed Nigerian Content, within budget, on schedule, in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and a strong focus on HSE.
Train-7: NCDMB, NLNG hold meeting over EPC contracts
Attah confirmed that Nigerian Content is one of the key value drivers for Train-7 as it will create jobs, deepen competency and capacity, unlock opportunities in the oil and gas industry and hopefully open the door for further expansion activities with the possibility of further LNG trains and projects.
He also noted that Community Content is a key part of the project and requested the support of the Board to close the issue of Community Vendors that will participate in the project.
