In line with its transformation agenda of the Nigerian economy especially the oil and gas sector, President Goodluck Jonathan, has commissioned the NNPC/MPN Satellite Field Development Project Platforms, the first local content project in oil and gas sector with 100 percent Nigerian input.
In his speech at the commissioning of the multimillion dollar platforms tagged Abang & Itut, held on Friday at Nigerdock, Nigeria Plc, Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, Lagos, President Jonathan noted that the project was the first fruit of the Local Content Bill, which he signed into law in April 2010.
“I am happy that the local content drive that I stared when I was a deputy governor is taking shape today. With the two platforms fabricated and installed with 100 percent Nigerian manpower and content by Nigerdock and Jagal Group for ExxonMobil Production, Nigerian oil & gas sector will no longer depend on Asia, Europe and America for facility procurement and manpower. With the development, we have started a journey that will set our oil & gas sector on a pedestal of global competitiveness and growth.”
The president also promised more legislative support and provision of enabling environment for more investments in the sector. He later laid the foundation of the Skillbase, Lagos Deep Water Shore base, at Nigerdock aimed at providing manpower for the oil and gas sector.
In her remarks, Diezani Alison-Madueke, minister of Petroleum Resources, noted that the commissioning was an enviable milestone in the sector because of the over dependent of the sector on Asia, Europe and other countries of the world for facilities, procurements, and even manpower.
She noted that with the development and more that will follow, Nigerian oil and gas sector stands a better chance of looking inwards and doing business more competitively as cost of doing business and of such facilities hitherto imported are now reduced.
