…Says Govs Ambode, Nyesom-Wike’s wives, others made trip
Kunle Kalejaye 26 November 2015, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, has confirmed SweetcrudeReports‘ news story of a large delegation of Nigerians attending the commissioning of its four newly-built vessels earlier this month in Seoul, South Korea.
NLNG confirmed, as reported by SweetcrudeReports two weeks ago, that the wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode; her Rivers State counterpart, Mrs Suzette Nyesom-Wike and the wife of the King of Bonny, Mrs. Paula Tamunoipiriye Pepple, were on the trip, which industry observers had adjudged a jamboree on account of the large number, who attended the event from Nigeria.
NLNG’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Babs Omotowa, also made the trip, as also reported by SweetcrudeReports, while the wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mrs Elizabeth Kachikwu, was represented by the Legal Counsel of the NLNG, Edith Unuigbe.
A statement signed by the General Manager, External Relations Division, at the NLNG, Mr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, said 33 people attended the commissioning ceremony from Nigeria.
The statement issued in Port Harcourt, however, did not reveal the names of other attendees.
According to the statement, NLNG, through its subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited, BGT, built the four new vessels as part of a strategic expansion programme to strengthen and make it more globally competitive.
The wife of Lagos State governor, during the ceremony, named one of the four vessels.’LNG Lagos 11′, which was built by Hyundai Heavy Industry, HHI, while ‘LNG Bonny 11’, also built by HHI, was named by the wife of the King of Bonny.
‘LNG Port Harcourt II’, built by Samsung Heavy Industry, SHI, was named by the wife of the governor of Rivers State, and ‘LNG Finima II’, by the wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum and NNPC Group Managing Director, the statement added.
According to the statement also, the four vessels to be delivered before the end of 2015 are Dual Fuel Diesel Electric, DFDE, and a more fuel efficient and modern model of vessels. “LNG Bonny 11 and LNG Lagos 11 are enhanced with a capacity of 177,000 cubic metres, a length of 299 metres and a breath of 46 metres, while LNG Finima 11 and LNG Port-Harcourt 11 are enhanced with a capacity of 175,000 cubic metres, a length of 293 metres and a breath of 48 metres- about the size of three football pitches,” it also stated.
At the HHI ceremony in Ulsan, South Korea, Mr. Omotowa, the NLNG Managing Director, said: “The commissioning marks a clear demonstration of our commitment to the rejuvenation of our assets as well as our efforts at ensuring that we continuously strengthen our reputation and status as a reliable and efficient LNG company operating in a very competitive world energy market.
“This august ceremony, also prepares us for the future with plans for expansion of operations. NLNG is currently planning for additional trains that will increase its production capacity by 40 percent to some 30 million tonnes annually. Our shipping capacity must therefore also grow to meet the demands of this expansion.
“I must mention here also, that thanks to Nigeria LNG’s local content vision as well as support from HHI that for the first time, some Nigerian companies have participated in the construction of our vessels here in Ulsan. Nexans KabelMetal, Berger Paints, Paints and Coating Manufacturers Nigeria and Metec West Africa became involved, supplying cables, paints and anodes valued at over $10million”.
He said about 580 young Nigerians have benefited from the partnership with HHI and SHI in developing local skills in ship design and construction. He stated that the skills development took place in Bonny, Rivers State, Lagos State and South Korea where over 200 Nigerians participated in the actual construction of the vessels.
NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the NNPC (49%), Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6%), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15%), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4%).