The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, said that over $1bn has been invested in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to create capacity and execute Nigerian Content scopes provided on the Egina deep water project.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, was quoted as saying in a statement last week that the TOTAL Exploration and Production Egina’s $15billionn deep water project is the first major oil and gas project to be started under the Nigerian Content Act.

The project is said to include an FPSO unit, an oil offloading terminal and subsea production systems such as risers, 52kilometre, km, of oil and water injection flowlines, 12 flexible jumpers, 20km of gas export pipelines, 80km of umbilicals and subsea manifolds.

Nwapa was quoted as saying this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he commissioned the Saipem’s new double/quadruple joint plant, adding that about $60million investment was made towards delivering Saipem’s Nigerian Content scope on the Egina project.

He added that the plant is worthy of celebration as it confirmed that the Board’s strategy to include Capacity Development Initiatives, CDIs, in major projects is working.

He said the CDIs will promote opportunities for training, knowledge and technology acquisition, adding that shop floors were expanding and capacity to execute work in Nigeria had increased substantially.

Speaking further, Nwapa reiterated that over $5billion worth of investments have been made in Nigerian yards since the signing of the Nigerian Content Bill into law by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2010, while about 40,000 technical jobs were being created per annum.

He commended Mr. President’s administration for providing the political support and conducive environment to implement Nigerian Content Act. “Their support strengthened the Board to overcome local and international resistance from very powerful forces,” he added. The Executive Secretary also commended TOTAL for its continued investment in Nigeria, despite the challenging economic environment, particularly the fall in crude oil prices. He added that NCDMB is focusing more on its developmental roles owing to the need to build collaboration to achieve targets set by the Act.

Also commenting, the Managing Director, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, SCNL, Mr. Giussepe Surace, was quoted as saying that the company was in Nigeria for the long term and will continue to invest oa demonstrate its commitment to the nation.

He added that the company viewed Nigerian Content as an opportunity for development rather than a requirement for compliance.

The event was attended by representatives of international oil and gas companies, service providers, especially local partners of Saipem on the Egina project.

In their comments, representatives of Saipem’s local partners expressed appreciation for the opportunity to build their businesses and acquire new capabilities. Already, the partnership has achieved several firsts in the industry, one of which is PCNL’s qualification to produce the 5LPP coating on pipes and joints.

Another company, Mudiame also secured accreditation to carry out high tech qualification tests on the project.