In efforts to support the development of in-country capacities, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), charged Nigeria LNG Ltd and the consortium of service companies contracted on the Train 7 project -Saipem, Chiyoda, Daewoo – to work closely with Orbit Galvanized Steel to upgrade its galvanizing facility.
This is to enable Orbit to advance to the required standards so it can provide services for their project and other potential projects in the future.
NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, said this on Wednesday, when he led representatives of international oil companies (IOCs) and their service counterparts to a facility tour of Orbit Galvanized Steel Industries Limited at Ikorodu, Lagos.
He said the galvanizing facility might help address the challenge faced by the NLNG Train 7 project in finding the required operational galvanizing capacity in-country, and would serve the Nigerian oil and gas industry and allied sectors.
He said the company has huge potential and needed to be supported to enable it to meet all the technical standards required by the oil and gas industry, according to a statement.
He observed that the galvanizing plant was conceived to serve other sectors of the economy, but the promoters realized that they could equally take advantage of the opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, which prompted the invitation of NCDMB and other stakeholders to the plant.
He commended the company for their investment, noting that having a diverse clientele would enable its sustainability and profitability.
NOGICD Act mandates the Board to ensure that critical capacities developed in Nigeria are patronized by the oil and gas industry, to create employment opportunities and retain spend in the local economy.
Industry standards
Wabote charged Orbit Galvanized Steel to obtain all the relevant certifications and meet industry standards, as the oil and gas sector operates with very strict standards and zero tolerance for compromise, adding that any failure would have colossal consequences on human lives and economic resources.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act mandates the Board to ensure that critical capacities developed in Nigeria are patronized by the oil and gas industry, to create employment opportunities and retain spend in the local economy.
He assured the company that NCDMB will support its progress and ensure that its proposed fabrication yard is patronized when completed.
Orbit Galvanized Steel Industries is a subsidiary of the African Industries Group (AIG), and boasts of a state-of-the-art fabrication and hot dip galvanizing plant.
The firm also has capacities to manufacture and supply substation structures, telecom/microwave towers, solar module mounting structures, and railway structures and is currently active in solar power, electric power, mining, and agriculture.
Commenting, the Group Executive Director, Orbit Galvanized Steel, Uche Iwuamadi, said the company is the only integrated tower manufacturing company in Nigeria.
He added that “the entire end-to-end process, right from iron ore mining to the casting of billets, to fabrication and galvanizing is done in-house within Nigeria, and that creates employment opportunities for many Nigerians.”
Iwuamadi explained that the galvanizing facility has a production capacity of 3,600 tonnes per annum and a maximum of six tonnes per batch, adding that the company’s growth will add immense value to the Nigerian economy.
