Niger Delta
Local Content: Five Firms Get OEM Certification
A major milestone in the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Law 2010 was achieved last Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital when five multinational companies were granted the first-ever permission to manufacture in-country, original equipment for the oil and gas industry.
The five companies are Endress-Hausser, ABB, Siemens, New Way, and Bonney Forge; all world-class original equipment manufacturers (OEM), who have indicated readiness to roll out by 2014, critical equipment hitherto imported into the country for use by the oil and gas industry players.
Signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to herald the commencement of the process designed to domicile the manufacturing facilities of the companies in Nigeria, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr Ernest Nwapa, said the quantum leap would fast track the availability, accessibility and affordability of critical equipment required in the industry, create employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians and boost wealth creation across the value chain.
Nwapa said that the initiative, facilitated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), would avail operators in the industry opportunity to procure original equipment hitherto imported into the country, directly from the manufacturers within Nigeria, thereby saving huge foreign exchange, procurement time, among others.
He said that with the building of original equipment manufacturing plants in Nigeria, the companies’ would have strong manufacturing footprint in-country, thus enhancing the prospects of achieving 70 per cent local content in the industry in line with the law.
Nwapa noted that when completed in 2014, the plants would manufacture equipment for both local consumption and export, and commended participating companies for blazing the trail in local content development, promising to recommend them to the minister of petroleum for special windows to enjoy prescribed privileges in the industry.
Speaking, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Local Content, Hon Asita Honourable, expressed the conviction that Shell was actually leading the way in local content development in the industry, and stressed the determination of the National Assembly to provide the enabling climate for the development of local content that would deepen Nigerians’ participation in the industry.
He said that the National Assembly was impressed with the level of compliance with the Nigerian Content Law 2010 by some of the major companies, and stated that members were ready, more than ever before, to strengthen the legislative framework to make greater number of Nigerians benefit from the industry.
In his remarks, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, SPDC, Mr Igo Weli, said the company was delighted to be pioneering the certification of original equipment manufacturers to establish plants in-country, and added that with the development, more Nigerians would be gainfully employed, huge foreign exchange saved for re-investment into other areas of need while facilitating improved revenue generation and wealth creation.
Weli, who represented the Managing Director, SPDC, Mutiu Sunmonu, said that the strategy was in keeping with the company’s desire to deepen its impact on the people within its areas of operation, and promised to encourage more indigenous oil and gas companies to partner more internationally-recognised genuine equipment manufacturers to invest in Nigeria.
President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr Emeka Ene, praised Shell for the initiative to facilitate the partnership between indigenous and foreign oil and gas equipment manufacturing companies, and charged other multinational firms to emulate the policy.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.