From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D., has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that attracts investment, strengthens local content and promotes sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The Minister made the statement at the 25th anniversary celebration of Tenaris Global Services Nigeria Ltd. in Nigeria, where he commended the company for its sustained investment and commitment to the country’s oil and gas industry.
The celebration also marked the successful completion of Tenaris’s Bonga North coating campaign and the commissioning of a new five-layer thermal insulation plant, milestones which, according to the Minister, demonstrate the value of sustained private investment in building domestic industrial capacity.
“Our ambition is for the development of Nigeria’s petroleum resources to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial future,” Sen. Lokpobiri said.
He noted that investments in local facilities create opportunities to retain greater expenditure within the Nigerian economy, support skilled employment, develop domestic suppliers and equip Nigerian workers with experience that can be deployed on future projects.
The Minister further emphasized the importance of continuity, noting that consistent demand for locally established capacity would encourage businesses to maintain equipment, invest in training and expand their ability to serve additional customers and compete in regional markets.
“Industrial investment establishes capacity. Local content connects that capacity to Nigerian opportunity. Strategic partnerships help sustain delivery and open the way to further growth,” he stated.
Sen. Lokpobiri encouraged Tenaris to deepen its contribution through structured training and supplier development, while providing Nigerian engineers and technicians opportunities to assume greater responsibilities. He also urged the company to work with technical institutions and qualified Nigerian businesses to build capabilities required for participation in its supply chain.
He called on the wider petroleum industry to sustain demand for capacities established in Nigeria, stressing that each new project should contribute to strengthening the industrial base available for future developments.
The Minister congratulated Tenaris on its 25 years of operations in Nigeria and expressed confidence that the company’s achievements would encourage further investment and strategic partnerships that create lasting value for Nigeria.
