By Emmanuella Anokam

Some indigenous oil and gas companies are seeking an enabling environment and shorter procurement cycle to actualise more sanctioned projects and quick implementation for economic development.

The companies made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja at the just concluded 24th annual Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week.

The NOG 2025 had its theme as “Accelerating Global Energy Progress through Investment, Partnerships and Innovation’’.

Mr Ayodele Adesina, Business Development Manager, IGPES Group, decried long project procurement cycle being experienced in the sector.

Adesina said that shorter cycle indicated more efficient and cost-effective process.

“The major challenge that I see, which the current administration is working harder to address, is the procurement cycle.

“We need more projects to be sanctioned to spur activities in the industry.

“Once one project is finishing, we need another project that we can roll over so that people can be employed. That can also contribute to the economy,” he said.

According to him, more projects need to be sanctioned.

“There are projects we have been hearing for a long time in the industry, we want these projects to get approved and move forward.

“For instance, Bonga South West is a project that has been in the industry for a very long time, Zabazaba deep-water oil and gas project is another one.

“I am aware that the current government is working to see that these projects come to fruition and become viable projects for participation,’’ he said.

Adesina said that as an indigenous oil and gas company, IGPES had contributed largely to some notable projects, such as NLGN Train Seven and Bonga North oil and gas projects.

He expressed the commitment of IGPES, as well as its readiness and capability to deliver value.

“The conference availed us opportunity to showcase our capability. 99 per cent of our management staff are Nigerians, we employ skilled Nigerians and they are well remunerated.

“We procure items in accordance with the act that requires us to buy things from accredited Nigerian vendors, or companies that have representation in Nigeria where Nigerian vendors are unavailable.

“In a quantifiable manner, we have contributed to Nigerian content, making sure that Nigerians are employed, trained and well represented at the management level and procuring items from Nigeria,’’ he said.

Mr Emmanuel Uwakwe, Technical Sales Representative, Navante Oil and Gas Company Ltd., called for friendly policies and enabling environment to boost indigenous companies.

Unakwe urged the Federal Government to introduce friendly policies and ensure that indigenous companies were given first hand treatment compared to foreign companies.

“The government should look into proper enabling environment for indigenous companies to thrive.

“In terms of engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance, we currently have some facilities operating.

“We have the offshore and landed facility called OML 11/11, we are also into exploration and have our marginal field and about to commence oil exploration by the end of 2025,’’ he said.

Mr Mohammed Zubairu, Regional Manager, Greenville LNG Co. Ltd. described the conference as an avenue for professionals to showcase opportunities.

Zubairu called for enabling environment and infrastructure development, especially in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) space, to spur industrialisation and alternative energy for automobiles.

“We are also rolling out 70 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations nationwide, which will be servicing automobiles, including tricycles, commercial vehicles and trucks that carry fuels.

“Initially there had been fear about the safety of CNG and LNG usage.

“But those fears have been allayed because people are adopting this fuel and can see how reliable and safe CNG is,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman