The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote, has called for the inclusion of local companies in the implementation of Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Company Train 7 Project.
Wabote made the call, according to a statement titled ‘NLNG Train 7 Project: Wabote Calls for Participation of Local Companies’, during a recent facility tour of the fabrication and galvanizing facility of Sparkwest Steel Industries in Sagamu, Ogun State.
The NCDMB boss stated that there was a need for the government to encourage local investors to do more through various incentives.
Similarly, the Project Director of NLNG Train 7, Mr Uwais, said, “With what I have seen, if they are encouraged, I think they can do more. We must also understand that this project is time and commitment driven; so we will try as much as possible to balance those things and to see what is possible.”
The NCDMB boss, statement said, lauded the company for its efforts in driving investment and employment generation across the sector, adding that with more support from government and industry players, the company would employ more Nigerians.
He said, “The company is already employing people. It is not a closed shop. We came to check their capacity and I am sure if a lot more work is given to them, a lot more Nigerians will be employed.
“They have done a lot of investments. Their expertise has always been in the telecommunications and power sectors. Now we want to migrate into the oil and gas sector which is technically very challenging. So, it is how to encourage them to make that transition. That is why this visit is vital.”
The Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Company Train 7 Project had been awarded to SCD Consortium led by SAIPEM Contracting Company.
According to the statement, SAIPEM signed an agreement with Sparkwest Steel Industry under the watchful eye of the NCDMB as the Local Content Fabrication and Galvanising sub-contractor for the construction of the $7bn NLNG Train 7 Project.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Sparkwest Steel Industry, Niyi Oyedele, stated that in the drive for expanding the participation of qualified Nigerian companies in the construction and delivery of the NLNG Train 7, the NCMDB spearheaded a fact-finding mission to establish the fabrication and galvanising capacity of Sparkwest Steel and the extent of the participation that could be safely awarded to the company as a subcontractor in the landmark NLNG Train 7 project.
Oyedele commended the government for prioritising the inclusion of local firms, noting that about 350 direct and indirect employees would benefit from the deal.
