Kentebe Moves to Tackle Challenges in Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Denzil Kentebe has stated that the agency is set to tackle the challenges facing operators at the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers State.

Speaking at the weekend when he led the managers in charge of Nigerian Content Development at the international producing companies and other stakeholders on tour of the facilities of the Oil and Gas Services Centre at the zone, Kentebe promised to support companies operating in the zone to maximize their potentialities and address some of their challenges.

The tour was coordinated by Intels Nigeria Limited, a concessionaire in the zone, whose integrated logistics services are dedicated to the oil and gas industry.

The company showcased its investments in berthing facilities, ports operations equipment, offices and accommodation facilities etc. The other firms visited included Total Premier Services, Vallourec Oil and Gas, Titan Tubular, Tenaris and Pipe Coaters Nigeria Limited.

Other companies visited include: Cameron Valves and Measurements; West Atlantic Shipyard; OPMC; Remm Oil Services, Oando Rigs; One Subsea/Cameron Offshore; GE Subsea Facility; FMC Technologies; West African Ventures yard and Adamac.

Kentebe explained that the purpose of the visit was to get the industry to appreciate the capacities of companies operating in Free Trade Zone, noting that the agency was insisting on the utilization of locally manufactured inputs by the oil and gas industry and many of such activities were carried out in the zone. He expressed delight that many of the companies were engaged in value addition activities and manufacturing of components, which according to him hold the key to real Nigerian content growth and employment creation.

Responding to the complaints from the operators of the West Atlantic Shipyard that the vessels they manufacture in the Zone were often taxed exorbitantly when they are moved out of the vicinity, Kentebe promised that the NCDMB would engage relevant agencies of government to ensure that applicable tax policies do not negate the essence of establishing the zone.

He charged the company to ensure that it restarts the manufacture of vessels aside from just carrying out dry docking of vessels, adding that the Board will begin to give first consideration to locally built vessels in tenders from 2016. When the team visited One Subsea, the officials explained that the company was assembling Christmas Trees for ExxonMobil’s Erha North project and 70 per cent of the project team were Nigerians.

OneSubsea Offshore Systems is a leading provider of flow equipment products, systems and services to oil and gas and process industries.

Officials of General Electric also told Kentebe that they repair and maintain Christmas Trees for the Shell Bonga project and other deep water projects.

In their presentation, officials of West African Ventures noted that the certifications offered by the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to local trained seafarers were not accepted by the oil and gas industry and offered to upscale the capacity of their graduates to enable them acquire international certifications and skills they need to secure work.