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Alfred Temile 10 gas facility reinforces local content law, says Minister

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has lauded the courage, vision and hardwork exhibited by Nigerian firms in breaking new frontiers in gas businesses in line with the local content law.

Ekpo stated this at the commissioning of Temile Development Company Limited's 23,000 cubic meters ultra-modern Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carrier – ‘Alfred Temile 10' at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea, yesterday.

He described the courage in the conceptualisation and delivery of the project by Temile Development Company Limited as a monumental achievement in local content law, even as he called on other firms to emulate Temile's example.

He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act was enacted to promote the development of in-country capacity in the oil and gas industry, and that the LPG vessel's commissioning was a manifestation of the success of this legislation.

"By actively engaging in projects of this magnitude, we are fostering indigenous participation and furthering our commitment to building a sustainable and vibrant oil and gas sector," he said.

According to the minister, the vessel would enhance the efficiency of the country's energy supply chain by transporting LPG from the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) to coastal storage facilities.

"Today's (yesterday) commissioning also reflects the increasing influence of Nigerian content in the oil and gas maritime space. It is a proud moment for our nation, showcasing active participation that not only complies with the Cabotage Law, but aligns with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) of 2010," he added.

The minister urged stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to recommit to the principles of collaboration, innovation, and local content development.

"Let this event trigger or serve as a catalyst for even greater strides in our collective journey towards self-sufficiency and prosperity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, for economic development, eradicating poverty and wealth creation, which are cardinal objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda," Ekpo said.

Also, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, said the inauguration of the gas carrier is a significant step towards increasing domestic gas consumption and boosting gas revenues.

He said: “The commissioning of Alfred Temile 10 signifies a crucial step in deepening the utilisation of gas in-country and growing gas revenues.

“The vessel is equipped to transport liquefied petroleum gas efficiently, which will contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s domestic gas industry.”

The NNPC GCEO commended Temile Development Company Ltd’s for its perseverance and ground-breaking accomplishments as well as the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and NSML for delivering such an unparalleled project.

The commissioning, he explained, presents the NNPCL with the chance to work with its global partners to increase the amount of Nigerian gas available to the market.

“I want to congratulate Mr Alfred for the great feat you have achieved on behalf of our country and we understand that today clean energy is everything because the whole world is transitioning to cleaner fuel”, said the GCEO.

“In our country, biomass is the major source of energy, and I know that the efforts we are making collectively and with this effort by Temile Group will enhance that ability to produce cleaner energy in our country.

“We must do massive work around this endeavor and there are many initiatives that are going on to make sure that gas is made available into our country for both domestic and export markets.

“This is an opportunity for all of us, and we are collaborating with our partners across the globe to see how we can make Nigeria’s gas available to the whole market.

“Nigeria is a gas country and not an oil country, and we know that the efforts being made by our government will enhance that. We are creating the right environment for businesses, we are making sure LNG is made available to the global market as we expand our capacity to provide LGP into the domestic market.”

CEO, Temile Development Company Ltd., Alfred Temile, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration and support received from NNPC Ltd from the project’s conceptualisation to execution.

Also, the Charge D'Affaires Ad Interim of the Nigerian Embassy in South Korea, Ambassador Ferdinand Nwonye, expressed delight at the project's commissioning during his speech at the event.

He indicated that the construction of the vessel by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea, marking the third vessel built for Nigerian companies since his arrival in 2021, showcases the country's significant global economic contribution.

He said: “We witnessed the signing of the contract for the construction and supervision of the vessel between Temile Development Company limited and Hyundia Mipo Dockyard during the World Gas Conference in May, 2022 and today we are equally witnessing the commissioning of the vessel.

“I want to thank both Temile Development Company Nigeria Ltd and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Company Limited for living up to the contract agreement.

“The construction of this vessel has demonstrated the power and importance of our dear country and its immense contribution to the global economy, because, since 2021 that I arrived in the Republic of Korea, this vessel will be the 3rd vessel that Hyundai Mipo Dockyard has built for Nigerian Companies among several others that have been built before my arrival and hopefully many more to come.

“This only attests to the fact that there is a viable market for Shipyard in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. I believe this should signal a wakeup call for our dear country (Nigeria) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Company to collaborate and consider setting up a Shipyard in Nigeria. This will no doubt enable the collaboration to cater for the Africa market.

“I will like to urge Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to train more Nigerian Engineers and also employ them after the training in order for them to have in-depth knowledge about the fabrication process of vessels and this will be a win-win situation for you and Nigeria when the time comes for the desired collaboration for the setting up of the Shipyard.

“I want to sincerely congratulate Temile Development Company Nigeria Ltd, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Company and all stakeholders who participated in the construction of this vessel.

Nwonye expressed confidence that the vessel will play a valuable role in Temile Development Company Nigeria Ltd and contribute to the strengthening of the relationship between Nigeria and Korea bilateral economy.