*Commissions ultra-modern valve assembling plant
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has secured approval to launch a US$50 million fund for NOGAPS Manufacturing Product Line. This fund would be dedicated to companies that would operate in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks and engage in the manufacturing of equipment components used in the oil and gas industry and linkage sectors.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote revealed this at the commissioning of the ultra-modern valves assembling facility established by Catobi Nigeria Enterprises Limited in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The fund would support oil and gas companies that would operate in the oil and gas parks developed by the Board in Bayelsa and Cross River State. The parks are expected to be commissioned and operational in the 4th quarter of 2022 and would incubate the manufacturing of equipment components utilized in the oil and gas industry and create an estimated 2000 jobs in each park.
In his words, “on Thursday, the Governing Council of the Board approved an additional $50m product in the Nigerian Content Intervention (NCI) Fund to support in-country manufacturing of components within the industrial parks currently being developed by the Board in Bayelsa and Cross River States.”
The Executive Secretary stated that NCDMB understands the challenge associated with manufacturing, especially the reluctance of banks to extend loans to manufacturers, because of the long repayment period for such facilities. He disclosed that the NOGAPS Manufacturing fund will soon be launched and will be managed by the Bank of Industry (BoI) to address the identified challenges.
The new fund would be a stand-alone product line with distinct fund allocation and special eligibility criteria and collateral structure. The decision of the Board to establish the product was informed by the peculiarities of the manufacturing sector, which include infrastructure challenges, long gestation, long lead time before returns, low margins on products, and high risk attached to the endeavor, in addition to the reluctance of commercial banks to lend to the sector and application of stiff collateral and eligibility criteria where loans are extended.
The Board established the NCI Fund in 2018 with the purpose of financing Oil and Gas companies to increase capacity and grow Nigerian Content in the Industry Presently, the NCI Fund has five product lines which are being managed by the Bank of Industry. They include – Manufacturing Finance -$10m; Asset Acquisition Finance -$10million; Contract Finance -$5m; Loan Refinance -$10m and Community Contractor Finance – N20 million.
The Board also has a US$30 million Working Capital Fund for oil and gas service companies and US$20million Fund for Women in Oil and Gas Intervention Fund. Both facilities are administered by the Nexim Nigerian Export-Import Bank and the agreements were signed in mid-2021.
The Executive Secretary stressed that the manufacturing sector is central to the overall initiative of the Federal Government and NCDMB to develop the economy and create indigenous capacity in the supply chain. He underscored the linkage between access to manufacturing finance and the viability of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Parks when operational.
The NCDMB boss disclosed that the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) was one of the important tools introduced by the Board to encourage local manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, threading, coating, repair/maintenance, calibration, and testing of equipment.
He reiterated that the NCEC has helped drive the establishment and development of facilities and infrastructure for local manufacturing and related activities in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), investors and technical partners. He stated further that it has promoted the development and growth of human capital, especially local skilled manpower and industry/technology experts.
While applauding Catobi Nigeria Enterprises Limited for contributing to the attainment of the Board’s 10-year strategic roadmap, Wabote noted the upgrade of the facility will strengthen the valve assembly operations in-country, maintenance and instrumentation services. He disclosed that the valve assembly plant now possesses the capacity to handle shut-off and control valve testing, test pressure safety bunker operations, valve assembling, and disassembling.
“Catobi Nigeria Enterprise Ltd is a superb example of what a Nigerian oil and gas service company can grow into over a period of time in demonstration of the resilience of the Nigerian enterprise,” Wabote added.
He called on the other service companies to emulate the company to invest in manufacturing and promote development of services that the will benefit the Nigerian economy.
Chairman, Catobi Nigeria Enterprise Limited, Dr. Okey Ukaegbu appreciated the support he had received from the industry through the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010. He mentioned with the new valve assembling plant, the company will be able to serve other sectors of the economy.
According to Ukaegbu, “the plant is a great opportunity to showcase a Nigeria company’s capacity and we are poised to continue to meet the industry needs and demands with timely delivery and at the right cost.”
In his remarks, the Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigerian (PETAN), Mr. Nicolas Odinuwe asked industry operators to give the opportunity to members of the association as they possessed capacities and capabilities to deliver. He said, we have the best equipment, and if there is no opportunity you cannot build competence.”
The event was attended by some members of NCDMB’s management, representatives of the international oil companies (IOCs), representatives of service companies, PETAN executive, and other oil and gas industry stakeholders.
