BG Technical opens first Pipeline pigging factory in W/Africa

The management and board of  B.G Technical Limited, 100 per cent indigenous firm has commissioned and opened first Pipeline, Pigs and Accessories Factory in West Africa.

The manufacturing factory is expected to conserve and generate foreign exchange for Nigeria, especially this time of downturn in prices of crude oil which is the mainstay of Nigerian economy. It would help to provide quality products for the maintenance of pipeline so as to prolong life span and reduce cases of pipeline rupture as well as leakages.

With the factory commissioned  it will bring an end to the importation of pipeline pigging products, boost availability of mainly quality products and help to preserve foreign exchange earnings for operators and the federal government.

The commissioning and opening of the  factory  in Owerri, Imo State was performed by  the acting Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) who was represented by Tunde Adelana, and James Jock, who represented the  Group  General Manager of National Petroleum and Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

While speaking at the occasion, Tunde Adelana, who is the Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board( NCDMB) stated that the opening of the multi-billion Naira Pipeline, Pigs and Accessories factory for the production of quality pigging pipeline products is yet another evidence and validation that the efforts of the board is paying off in real terms in the oil and gas industry.

He described the event as  another attestation to the fact that Nigerians can develop the required industry capability once the enabling environment is in place and therefore assured that the Board will continue to support B.G Technical and other local companies in their efforts at acquiring additional capacities

“ The opening of the  factory is indeed worthy of celebration. Looking back at the years of pre-NOGICD Act, investors like B.G Technical would probably not be able to compete in the area of pigging services due to the preponderance of foreign goods and services,” he noted.
The Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS)  he  noted would thrive if businesses like BG Technical keys into the initiative which seeks to create a regional manufacturing hubs in Nigeria.

“ I would like to encourage other companies across sector to always strive to develop their capacities and capabilities-human and structural-as the focus of local content development is not to compromise quality but to ensure that work done by local companies can compete with that of their counterparts in any part of the world,” he said.
In his remark, James Jock, who represented the GGM NAPIMS said the corporation has the mandate to utilize local resources in the execution of projects in the upstream sector in line with the NOGIC Act.
“My commitment from NAPIMS is that we are going to support B.G Technical so that the investment made to domesticate technology and create jobs in-country would not go down the drain,” he said.
Bank- Anthony  Okoroafor,  the Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) said the opening of the factory owned by one of the members is a plus for the association as frontline in the push for domestication of technology in Nigerian oil and gas industry.

He said the association is happy with one of the members making such a huge investment which is  the only way to empower Nigerians. “This is the only way Nigeria can grow her gross domestic product (GDP), preserve the foreign currency earnings and create jobs for the populace. It is an exciting time and PETAN will continue to dedicate time and resources needed to promote domesticated technology,” he assured.
While Chiedu Oba, General Manager Nigerian Content, Shell Petroleum Development Company commended the management and staff of B.G Technical for their commitment towards the establishment of the factory with huge resources at a time of economic downturn. “Producing products by BG Technical not only for Nigeria but for export shows that the implementation of the Nigerian Content Development Act is  now a success story made possible through the support of Shell for indigenous companies,” he said.

Geoff Onuoha, the managing director B.G Technical  in his speech during the opening ceremony stated  that the domestication of technology initiated by BG Technical  has also helped to empower several Nigerians. “It is about putting Nigerian intellect to work in the country. It is about local content, manufacturing and supporting industry with products that are made in Nigeria,” he said.

Olusola Bello