Business
NCDMB, MT Group Partner On Valves Manufacturing … As Board Inspects Firm’s Capabilities
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has stated its resolve to partner an oil and gas industry valves manufacturing firm, MT Group, on enhancement of its capabilities.
The Board disclosed this on Wednesday during a visit to the firm’s West Africa Free Zone at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos by its delegation.
A statement from the Board’s Directorate of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination added that the visit was to assess the firm’s operations and plans to invest in a 15,000 tons per year valves manufacturing facility.
The Tide learnt that the firm is a subsidiary of MT Group, a global manufacturer of industrial valves, with presence across Africa, Middle East and Asia.
According to the NCDMB, the firm manufactures 60,000 tons of valves per year from its plant at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with cutting-edge research and development center and manufacturing base at Shanghai, China, its global headquarters.
Led by the Special Technical Assistant to the Board’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Harmony Kunu, Manager Media and Publicity, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, and Manager, Commercial Ventures, Ms. Chika Enwerem, the Board’s delegation re-emphasised the need for stronger synergy and commitment.
MT Valves West Africa was represented by the Managing Director, Mr. Thomas Zhang, and Sales Director, Mr. Elliot Aigbokhade during the visit.
The duo of the company’s officials said their firm specialises in the design and supply of various kinds of industrial valves to the oil and gas industry, petrochemical and allied sectors and was currently a vendor to Shell, Nigeria, despite being set up in the nation few years ago.
While conducting the NCDMB officials through the company’s plants and shop floor, the firm’s representatives said their operations in Nigeria were in adherence to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
“MT Valves has started the processes of establishing an advanced manufacturing workshop at Lekki Free Zone, which would serve as a hub for value addition locally, capacity building and compliance with national development objectives.
“There’s no firm that is currently manufacturing industrial valves in Nigeria yet, and so the firm aimes to close this critical gap by developing a facility similar to our factory in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which supplies several countries across the world.
“The Lekki facility is projected to start with an initial production capacity of 15,000 valves per year, with a strategic focus that includes phased growth, local value addition, and development of a resilient supply chain.
“The investment plan targets the Nigerian market, taking into cognizance the projects in the funnel, with potential to supply to the regional market.The facility will also carry out maintenance and repair services, as well as assembly and manufacturing operations”, the firm said.
The company’s officials outlined plans to secure necessary certifications from the NCDMB and other relevant agencies and demonstrate return on investment potential, noting that their plans include sourcing some raw materials from the local supply chain, creation of employment opportunities, actively engaging Nigerian partners and training Nigerians overseas and locally to work in the facility.
“We want NCDMB to be an integral part of our investment journey. Already some equipment had been installed in this facility, while other critical equipment were currently being sailed to Nigeria”, the firm’s managers noted.
A statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination of the Board added that the firm’s officials also sought the Board’s support and regulatory backing for their investment as well as introduction to players in the oil and gas industry to facilitate patronage.
Responding, the NCDMB officials conveyed the agency’s backing for credible investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, capacity building and gap closures, in line with the provisions of the NOGICD Act.
“The mantra of the Nigerian Content Act is domiciliation and domestication of critical industry capacities, to create job opportunities for Nigerians, in line with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and industrialize the nation’s economy.
“We challenge MT Valves West Africa Free Zone to develop a robust investment plan, specifying milestones and targets and projected Nigerian content values, planned sources of raw materials and projected contributions to the economy.
“The NCDMB also wishes to invite you to participate at the forthcoming Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) planned for May 20-22, 2025, where you’ll get updated on new projects and opportunities planned by industry players and market potentials for your investment”, the NCDMB officials said.
On their part, MT Valves invited officials of government and other key agencies like Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (NLNG), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Ltd. to visit the firm’s facilities at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and global headquarters at Shanghai, China, to appreciate their company’s capacities and the scale of investment they plan to make in Nigeria.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations in Nigeria’s northeastern corridor, intercepting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and vehicles with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N63 million.
This success was recorded through Operation Whirlwind, a targeted enforcement drive against the smuggling of PMS outside Nigeria.
Disclosing the seizure in a statement at the Customs House in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital, last Friday, the National Coordinator of the operation, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG), Hussein Ejibunu, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the outcome as a clear result of intelligence-led and coordinated enforcement within Zone ‘D’.
He disclosed that 1,959 jerry cans, amounting to nearly 49,000 litres of PMS, were intercepted along with five vehicles used in their conveyance.
The seizures were made along well-known smuggling routes, including Dasin-Fufore, Belel-Farang, Mubi-Sahuda, Maiha, and Girei-Wuro Bokki.
“Smugglers fled upon sighting Customs operatives, abandoning their illicit consignments in their desperate bid to evade arrest”, ACG Ejibunu said.
He added that the operation aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic protection goals under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
He emphasised that dismantling illegal fuel supply chains curbs scarcity, stabilises market prices, and strengthens national security.
“This is our contribution to safeguarding national resources and fostering economic resilience”, he said.
In line with Section 245 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the flammable petroleum products will be auctioned immediately, and the proceeds will be paid into the Federation Account.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Towards advancing President Bola Tinubu’s vision of achieving a $1trillion economy, the Minister of State for Industry, John Owan, has emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria’s sugar sector.
A statement obtained by The Tide’s source said Enoh stated this during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Industry, held as part of efforts to amend the Establishment Act of the National Sugar Development Council.
The Minister, while addressing stakeholders, shared insights from a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which disclosed President Tinubu’s recognition of the potential in the sugar sector.
He said, “about two weeks ago, the President spoke about sugar at the FEC meeting.
“That in itself reflects the importance of sugar as a strategic industrial and domestic product that no country should take lightly, and Nigeria should be no exception.
“The sugar sector has a significant role to play in the President’s commitment to a $1 trillion economy.
“Our approach must ensure it contributes effectively to job creation and rural economic development.”
Commenting on it, the Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, said full implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan could save the nation over $1 billion in foreign exchange annually.
The NSDC scribe noted the plan’s potential to drive employment, attract large-scale investment, and stimulate rural development.
Bakrin explained that the proposed legislative amendments aim to redefine the council’s powers and align its financial structure with the 1999 Constitution.
Stressing the necessity of robust investor confidence to realise the NSMP’s vision, Bakrin said “We require about $4.5 billion in investments to fully achieve the NSMP’s objectives.
“Investor confidence is therefore crucial, and this can only be attained through transparent and rule-based policies.”
He, however, expressed concern over a recent government directive mandating that 50 per cent of the sugar levy be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, warning that such a move could undermine sectoral progress.
“The sugar levy was not intended as a general revenue-generating mechanism but as a dedicated fund to support the sector’s growth.
“Redirecting it threatens to defeat its original purpose”, Bakrin stated.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, represented by Iba Edward, acknowledged the bill’s intent but cautioned against regulatory overlaps.
She said, “Some proposed provisions encroach on NAFDAC’s core responsibilities under Section 5 of our Act. We urge lawmakers to clearly define roles to avoid duplication”.
A former Minister, Aliyu Idi Hong, who represented BUA Group, highlighted the company’s commitment to sugar development, citing a 50,000-hectare plantation, with 20,000 hectares currently under cultivation.
He stressed the importance of policy stability to sustain investor interest.
Speaking, the Head of Government and Community Relations at Flour Mills of Nigeria, owners of the Golden Sugar Company in Sunti, Niger State, Mr. Onome Okurah, shared ongoing efforts to boost local production.
He noted that GSC cultivates over 6,000 hectares and currently sustains sugar production for four months each year.
“With stronger partnerships, we expect tangible results in the coming years”, he stated.
On his part, Chairman of the House Committee, Enitan Dolapo Badru, assured all stakeholders that the amendment process would be inclusive and aimed at empowering the NSDC to fulfil its mandate effectively.
Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has been awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Jonathan was bestowed the award at the maiden edition of the “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards”,recently, as part of events for the 5th edition of the NCDMB’S Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunities Fair (NOGOF), which took place at the content tower, headquarters of the Board in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Receiving the award, the ex-President commended the management and staff of the Board for the milestones achieved by the Board in the implementation of the Nigerian Content in the Oil and Gas industry.
He noted that prior to the enactment of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Development Act (NOGIC-D Act), there were no better laws regulating operations in the hydrocarbon industry in the nation, save for a few that post- existed the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in the Niger Delta region.
The ex-Nigerian leader also lauded former Senator Lee Maeba of Rivers State, who he said sponsored the NOGIC-D Act as a private member bill, noting that the Nigerian National Assembly then was made up of people of integrity and honesty.
“Before the NOGIC-D Act was enacted by the Nigerian National Assembly when I was President, there wasn’t any good law guiding the operations in the oil and gas industry in this nation.
“As Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State under the late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha’s administration, I led a state business delegation to China to understudy certain things in that nation, especially the oil industry.
“So, when we came back, Alamieyeseigha asked me to interface with President Obasanjo, the then President. I met him in the State House and discussed our findings with him, but there wasn’t any enabling law to save the situation.
“As God may have it, in 2010 when I became Acting President, the bill, which established the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, was sponsored as a private member bill by Senator Lee Maeba and upon its passage, I hurriedly, but meticulously assented to it to create the NCDMB.
“I’m happy with the milestone achievements of the NCDMB under various Executive Secretaries. The Board is doing tremendously well. I’m happy to hear that the Board has implemented the Local Content policy to about 56 percent”, he said.
The Tide reports that some firms and other individual stakeholders in the oil and gas industry also received awards in various categories.
They include, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company, which received the award of the “Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the year”, Dorman Long Engineering Limited, was awarded the “Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the year”, while TechnipFMC clinched the “Nigerian Content International Service Company of the year” award.
Others are: This Day Newspapers, which received the award of the “Nigerian Content Media Organisation of the year”; Bank of Industry (BOI), which got the award of the “Nigerian Content Financial Service Provider of the year”; the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) took the “Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the year” award; Aradel Holdings Plc clinched the “Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the year” award; while Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), now Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., was given the “Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the year” award.
In other categories, Mr. Tony Attah of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd, won the “Nigerian Content Icon of the year” award; Professor Emenike of the University of Nigeria (UNN) clinched the “Nigerian Content Innovator of the year” award; while Mrs. Iroghama Ogbeifun of Starzs Gas Ltd. won the “Nigerian Content Women in Leadership” award for promoting Women Empowerment in the oil and gas industry.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the duo of the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatshola-Ogbe, and the Chairman of the NCDMB award advisory committee, one time Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, underscored the need for the award.
The NCDMB’S Scribe, Ogbe, who reiterated his desire to improve on the gains of the Board, promised a continued implementation of the NOGIC-D Act within its guidelines, saying the new Presidential executive orders has also strengthened the Board under his stewardship.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa