President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind greater participation by Nigerian engineering firms in major energy projects as indigenous company Lee Engineering moves to unlock the full 2.3 billion standard cubic feet daily capacity of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System.
Tinubu said the development underscored his administration’s push to harness Nigeria’s vast gas resources to improve electricity supply, power industries, create jobs, and boost export earnings.
The President spoke at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the Founder and Chairman of Lee Engineering Group, Chief Leemon Ikpea.
Lee Engineering is executing the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction of two midline compressor stations in Edo State required to raise pressure along the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System and enable it to operate at its expanded capacity.
The pipeline was originally designed to transport 1.1 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily before its capacity was expanded to 2.3 billion standard cubic feet under the ELPS II project.
However, achieving that full capacity requires the installation of the compressor stations now being constructed by the Nigerian company.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly strengthen gas transportation to power plants and industries along the pipeline corridor while increasing supplies available for export to neighbouring West African countries through the West African Gas Pipeline.
Tinubu said the project demonstrated the capacity Nigerian companies have developed to execute sophisticated engineering assignments previously dominated by foreign contractors.
He reaffirmed his administration’s Nigeria First policy, urging international oil companies operating in the country to give competent indigenous engineering and manufacturing companies greater opportunities in major oil and gas projects.
According to the President, the policy must translate into more contracts for capable Nigerian firms, increased deployment of locally manufactured equipment, and the creation of skilled jobs for Nigerians.
Tinubu also cited his administration’s 2024 executive orders and presidential directives on local content compliance, contracting costs, and approval timelines, saying they were designed to reduce project delays, attract investment, and expand opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
Ikpea, meanwhile, told the President that some components for the compressor stations were being manufactured at Lee Engineering’s fabrication yard in Warri, Delta State.
He said Nigerian companies had invested substantially in advanced equipment, technology, and skilled manpower and were increasingly capable of undertaking complex Engineering, Procurement, and Construction projects.
Ikpea said greater patronage of indigenous firms would help retain jobs, technical expertise, and economic value within the country rather than exporting them through contracts awarded abroad.
Tinubu said his administration would continue to encourage partnerships between international oil companies and qualified Nigerian firms as part of efforts to turn the country’s gas reserves into electricity, industrial growth, employment, and additional foreign exchange earnings.
Discover more from Keeping Them Honest
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.