Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo has companies in the country to maximise the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act to boost LPG production in-country.
Ekpo stated this at the commissioning of Temile Development Company Limited’s 23,000 cubic meters ultramodern Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carrier – ‘Alfred Temile 10’ at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on Tuesday.
The minister lauded the courage, vision and hard work exhibited by Nigerian firms in breaking new frontiers in gas businesses in line with the local content law.
He described the courage in the conceptualization and delivery of the project by Temile Development Company Ltd as a monumental achievement in local content law, even as he called on other firms to emulate Temile’s example.
He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act was enacted to promote the development of in-country capacity in the oil and gas industry, and that the LPG vessel’s commissioning was a manifestation of the success of this legislation.
“By actively engaging in projects of this magnitude, we are fostering indigenous participation and furthering our commitment to building a sustainable and vibrant oil and gas sector,” he said.
According to the minister, the vessel would enhance the efficiency of the country’s energy supply chain by transporting LPG from the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG) to coastal storage facilities.
“Today’s commissioning also reflects the increasing influence of Nigerian content in the oil and gas maritime space. It is a proud moment for our nation, showcasing active participation that not only complies with the Cabotage Law, but aligns with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) of 2010,” he added.
The minister urged stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to recommit to the principles of collaboration, innovation, and local content development.
“Let this event trigger or serve as a catalyst for even greater strides in our collective journey towards self-sufficiency and prosperity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, for economic development, eradicating poverty and wealth creation, which are cardinal objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”