Siemens Port Harcourt workshop deepens local technical competence in energy sector

In a bid to contribute towards Nigeria’s long-term developmental goals and localisation agenda in the oil & gas sector, Siemens Limited Nigeria has deepened commitment to address the need for local technical support in sector by providing innovative equipment, deploying technology and offering aftermarket service.

In a statement sent in by the Seun Sulieman, Vice President Services and Digital, Siemens LTD Nigeria, he explained that in 2016, following the acquisition of Dresser-Rand in Nigeria on May 2015, Siemens Limited Nigeria had the vision to build a workshop that will ensure a comprehensive portfolio of equipment and capability for customers in the power generation, oil and gas, utilities industry, which will address the needs of the local market with world-class products, solutions and services.

This development is coming at a time when the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of the Vision 2020, identified the deficiency in qualified local manpower and low indigenous participation as part of the challenges faced by the oil & gas sector.

This need for localisation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector led stakeholders in government and the private sector to develop creative strategies targeted at promoting local human capital development in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was one of such strategies implemented by the Federal Government to promote the development and utilization of in-country capacities through the effective implementation of the Nigerian Content Act. The Private Sector on its part also plays a key role in providing critical infrastructure, either directly or in collaboration with the Government under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.

Siemens Limited Nigeria set up the Port Harcourt Service workshop in the heart of Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger-Delta region riding on Dresser-Rand’s over 25 years strong expertise in non-OEM service and full-scale operation and maintenance capabilities. The choice of Port Harcourt as a location for this over three million Euros investment by Siemens Limited Nigeria was determined by the need to remain close to a majority of its customers in the Oil and Gas sector while remaining accessible to another customer in the non-oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

According to Sulieman, with Siemens commitment to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, in terms of location, material and manpower, Siemens is creating real value in Nigeria by eliminating capital flight through local production and human capital development.

“The workshop also creates an avenue for local talent to train in house. The Port Harcourt workshop is also home to best of local experts with global expertise in the business; 24 field service engineers operating in the facility are Nigerians who are knowledgeable and skilled in different areas of specializations. There are also have five highly qualified and experienced technicians, who provide support to the field service representatives both in the workshop and on-site.

“In terms of technical capacity, the workshop contains state of the art machinery for rotating equipment (gas turbines, compressors and pumps) repairs and overhauls; reciprocating equipment; inspection, disassembly, reassembly, and balancing of all kinds of rotors; valve repairs, testing, and certification; shot blasting and general machining and fabrication. The workshop also houses different equipment that can provide any kind of machining for customers beyond the oil and gas sector,” he said