Blue Economy
NCDMB Chief Urges Indigenous Firms to Expand into Deepwater Oil Operations
NCDMB Chief Urges Indigenous Firms to Expand into Deepwater Oil Operations
Rivers State – The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has called on West African Ventures (WAV) Nigeria Limited and other established indigenous companies to expand their operations into the deepwater segment of oil and gas activities, citing vast opportunities in the sector.
Speaking during a facility tour of WAV’s Fabrication Yard, Machine Shop, and jetties at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne, Rivers State, on Tuesday, Ogbe praised the company’s advanced capabilities and proven track record in the industry.
The NCDMB chief revealed his long-standing relationship with the company, noting that he had awarded WAV its first offshore pipe-laying contract during his tenure as Construction Manager with Chevron Nigeria Limited. “The execution of that project was very satisfactory,” he recalled.
“You have worked hard; you are a very good company,” Ogbe declared after the facility tour. He described what he observed as “an eye-opener” that demonstrated the company’s impressive current capabilities.
The Executive Secretary highlighted WAV’s infrastructure, including a 50mm rolling mill, ocean-going vessels, fabrication yard, load-out equipment such as the JASCON 8, and a 160-tonne crane. “You have all the equipment needed for major operations,” he noted.
Ogbe emphasized that West African Ventures should consider expanding into offshore operations as “all the big players in the oil and gas industry are moving to deepwater.” While stressing that “projects are awarded through competitive bidding” and that NCDMB maintains transparency and professionalism, he expressed confidence that indigenous companies possess the necessary capabilities to compete effectively in the deepwater space.
Speaking at the event, WAV’s Managing Director, Michael Dumbi Amaeshike, expressed gratitude for the NCDMB management’s visit and highlighted his company’s four-decade service record in the oil and gas industry.
“We have been a showcase for what it takes to have a proud Nigerian company that portrays local content the way it should be,” Amaeshike stated.
He noted that many personnel currently occupying critical positions across various oil and gas subsectors, including maritime, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), are former WAV employees. The company recently completed a major infrastructural project for a marginal field operator.
The Manager for Fabrication, Chimeziri Onwukwe, provided an overview of WAV’s operations, stating that the company is actively involved in fabricating platforms, jackets, modules, tanks and other industry structures.
“We are not only fabricating but have an offshore base where we provide logistics assistance and load-out to all marine activities,” Onwukwe explained.
The company has invested in integrated pipe profiling and plate-cutting machines alongside other advanced equipment. However, Onwukwe appealed to NCDMB to help promote the company’s capabilities within the industry, noting that despite substantial investments and an excellent track record, patronage remains low.
The NCDMB team that participated in the facility tour included Abayomi Bamidele, Director of Capacity Building; Ossaowa Andrew Uchendu, Acting Director of Finance and Personnel Management; Naboth Onyeso, Acting Director of Legal Services; Ene Ette, General Manager of Planning, Research and Statistics; and Suleiman Ozimede, General Manager of Facilities and Logistics.
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