The Equipment Component Manufacturing Initiative (ECMI) launched by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in 2013 has started yielding tangible results.
The initiative which was midwifed by NCDMB was meant to enhance Nigeria’s local content capacity, generate employment opportunities and curb capital flight which is high in the oil and gas industry.
To this end, an oil and gas service firm, BEAMCO Nigeria Limited has started manufacturing some critical oil and gas equipment which were hitherto imported from overseas.
Speaking while on a visit to BEAMCO Nigeria Limited facilities in Lagos recently, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe commended the oil and gas service firm for the giant strides it recorded in oil and gas equipment components manufacturing.
Apparently please with the results that the ECMI has yielded so far, Ogbe also hailed the management of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, and Saipem-Daewoo Joint Venture for what he called “enhanced in-country value addition”.
His words: “Nigeria is proud that BEAMCO will be delivering quality pumps and valves on schedule. This is a demonstration that the Nigerian business environment provides all the enablers to support manufacturing and assembly.”
The NCDMB helmsman revealed that the locally assembled pumps and valves are set for installation and pre-commissioning preparations on the multibillion-dollar NLNG Train-7 project on Bonny Island, Rivers State.
Ogbe who spoke on the occasion of the load-out ceremony at BEAMCO’s facility at Apapa, Lagos, noted with fulfillment that the feat of sourcing such vital components in-country was made possible by the ECMI which was formally unveiled in 2013 by NCDMB.
The initiative necessitates the issuance of Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) as a requirement for participation in equipment supply in the oil and gas industry. The implementation ensured that NLNG through its main contractor, Saipem-Daewoo, awarded a contract to BEAMCO for the supply of 17 American Petroleum Institute (API) pumps and 19 control valves.
The execution of the contract was in line with NCDMB approved vendor list for NLNG Train-7 multi-billion United States of America (USA) dollars project.
According to Ogbe, the achievements of the company affirmed the position of the recent Presidential Directives on Local Content implementation which mandates that oil and gas contractors should only be awarded to local companies with established and proven capabilities in-country.
He stated the readiness of NCDMB to continue to support the oil and gas service firm in future.
His words: “NCDMB would continue to support BEAMCO to further expand its capabilities to include backward integration in pumps and valves components manufacturing in Nigeria,” and also assured purpose-driven companies in the oil and gas subsector that “together we will achieve more of similar milestones in the industry, as part of our collective commitment to achieve 70% Nigerian Content by 2027.”
Among components and accessories sent forth at the event were four pumps (2 Reflux pumps and 2 Amine booster pumps) and five valves (2 Mark 100 valves, I Mark One valve and 2 flow top valves).
Ogbe was accompanied on the visit by some senior management staff of NCDMB. They include the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu and Director Finance and Personnel Management, Mr. Ifeanyi Ukoha.
