Vowgas Deserves Huge Patronage by the IOCs, Says Wabote
Ejiofor Alike
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Kesiye Wabote, has declared that the modern fabrication yard complex recently unveiled by MG Vowgas in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, deserves to be greatly patronised by the International Oil Companies IOCs since it has everything that is required for fabrication and ship engineering services.
Wabote who made the statement at the end of the facility tour of the fabrication yard of the company noted that he is pleasantly surprised and impressed at the quality and number of machines, workshops and equipment available at the complex.
“I am blown away by what I have seen here. I am excellently impressed by the facilities tucked away in this part of Port Harcourt. Most of the global fabrication yards started like this and we have to assist this great initiative to grow”, Wabote said.
In commending the industrial outlay of the fabrication yard, Wabote pointed out that the magnificent office complex, trained workforce and the high caliber equipment and facilities are sufficient to “take any FPSO, as far as I am concerned, and you also have a water depth of 7 metres which is a very good advantage”.
He promised to ensure that “work scope that this yard can handle in the oil and gas industry is given to this yard, and to ensure that this yard participates in competitive and transparent bidding process, so it can become the lead contractor instead of becoming a sub contractor”, stressing that “this is an amazing facility and with a little encouragement, they will do much more than what we have here”
The NCDMB boss, remarked that Vowgas fabrication yard must have been built out of the passion to grow the industry, given that the company has not had any major contract in the past.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director of the company, Mr Godwin Izomor who conducted the NCDMB team round the yard, noted that “with the world-class facilities and personnel on ground, there is no longer any excuse by the IOCs to take their fabrications jobs to foreign lands thus promoting capital flight”. He noted that he is determined to match global standard in the oil and gas industry.
He appealed to the federal government to assist the initiative by significantly improving electricity supply in the country as well as ensuring a perfect security service, because it is costing us such a huge amount to provide electricity and security, which ultimately increases the cost of doing business”.