Page 17 - AfrOil Week 35 2022

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provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry
Content Development (NOGICD) Act. He said
the reason is because “NLNG has a vision not
just to be a globally competitive NLNG business,
but to help build a better Nigeria. To do that we
have to work closely with the NCDMB and raise
our partnership to a new level, and that includes
human development, research, and other areas.”
Speaking on the ongoing Train 7 LNG pro-
ject, Mshelbila recalled how NCDMB supported
the Nigeria LNG in various ways to enable the
takeoff of the project. He said: “the Final Invest-
ment Decision (FID) was taken successfully
with the help of NCDMB and the project is
now under construction, making good and safe
progress. We are looking at potentially 5,000
to 10,000 persons being employed on different
This year alone, IOCs TotalEnergies and Shell the African Union. During the conference, Hon. phases of the project. We already have thousands
made two significant discoveries alongside Tom Alweendo will deliver a keynote address, working on the ground. It is employing various
NAMCOR, merely weeks apart. The combined engage in several high-level bilateral meetings contractors across different areas. This is a true
recoverable reserves for both these finds are while helping drive discussions around a just example of how local content should be.”
estimated at four billion barrels, with the devel- energy transition in Africa. Namibia and Equa- The Executive Secretary in his remarks com-
opments expected to double Namibia’s GDP by torial Guinea will also play leading roles during mended Nigeria LNG for its impressive compli-
2040. Hoping to mirror these successes, other African Energy Week in Cape Town. ance with the provisions of the Nigerian Content
independent explorers have ramped up their African Energy Chamber, August 30 2022 Act, adding that the Board has continually ful-
own exploration campaigns, with the likes of filled its obligations on the Service Level Agree-
ReconAfrica and BW Kudu aggressively pursu- ment. He expressed delight with the progress
ing finds of their own. As such, Namibia’s hydro- PROJECTS & COMPANIES being made with the execution of the LNG Train
carbon market is set to witness unprecedented 7 project, noting that it had reached about 30%
growth, with insight from Equatorial Guinea NCDMB, NLNG to deepen completion.
only serving to advance the burgeoning sector. He also stated that the worth of the Train 7
“When we have an African country that has partnership on projects, project is about $5bn, which represents huge
the experience and the means, that is why we foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Nige-
are here. We have young Namibian engineers LPG penetration rian economy. Other economic benefits include
who will be attached to the Ministry here so that the creation of 10,000 direct jobs and about
they will have more on-the-job and practical les- The Nigerian Content Development and Mon- 40,000 indirect employment opportunities. He
sons. This way, it will accelerate the process for itoring Board (NCDMB) and Nigeria LNG Ltd added: “There are also upstream projects that
us to build the skills. It is a new industry for us will set up a tactical team comprising nominees are currently being approved that will supply
so we need to start building those skills and this from both organisations to drive closer collab- gas to Train 7. Those upstream projects will lead
agreement will really help us and we are thankful oration on projects, ensure compliance with to additional $6m foreign direct investment
for that. As Africa, we need to start increasing Nigerian Content obligations and promote other into the country. This will create employment
collaboration among ourselves,” stated Hon. strategic alliances for the good of the nation’s opportunities, touch the lives of families, raise
Alweendo. economy. the profile of the country as a major LNG pro-
“Namibia has very recently had two discover- This decision was reached on Wednesday ducer and increase our domestic LPG (cooking
ies in February and it is time for us as a country when the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG gas) production. Train 7 is already providing a
to be able to engage and have collaboration with Ltd, Dr. Philip Mshelbila led his management lot of jobs for Nigerian contractors, fabricators,
Equatorial Guinea so that we can embark on the team to pay a courtesy visit to the Executive logistics companies and more. The benefits are
next phase in our industry and understand how Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye enormous.”
best we can do it, lessons we can tap into and Wabote at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, He assured that the Board will continue to
see what Equatorial Guinea has done already, Bayelsa State. collaborate closely with the Nigeria LNG, espe-
especially in terms of local content, human The Managing Director explained that the cially to ensure deeper LPG (cooking gas) pen-
development and industry on the ground. These visit was conceived to introduce the company’s etration into the Nigerian market, hinting that
are skills and lessons that we want to be able to new management team to the NCDMB. He NCDMB had partnered with several investors
take from them to develop our industry,” stated stated: “NLNG and NCDMB have a special part- towards improving the accessibility of LPG.
Shino. nership that is beyond operator and regulator Wabote also encouraged Nigeria LNG to
Following the visit to Equatorial Guinea, relationship. We started this relationship when consider further investments, highlighting that
Hon. Minister Alweendo is set to depart for we signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) a few Qatar already had 14 LNG trains. He said Nige-
Senegal, where he will join other West Afri- years ago and it put in place standards by which ria needed to grow its LNG capacities, especially
can energy ministers at the 2022 edition of the we would work together and ensure compliance with the world’s clamour for energy transition
MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference – taking and guard against surprises.” and Federal Government’s declaration that gas
place under the auspices of H.E. Macky Sall, Sen- He said the current plan is to take the rela- is Nigeria’s transition fuel.
egalese President and current Chairperson of tionship further and beyond complying with the NCDMB, August 25 2022

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