BY Ali Elias
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) continued its two-day media tour on Wednesday with visits to two leading indigenous firms, PE Energy Limited and MarconiNg EPC Ltd, as part of its push to deepen the capacity of media professionals covering Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and to spotlight homegrown industrial competencies.
Unlike Day One, the large number of participating journalists necessitated a split visitation plan. One group visited PE Energy Limited at the Trans Amadi Industrial Estate in Port Harcourt, while the second group was hosted by MarconiNg EPC Ltd. Before departure, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, addressed the media teams, reiterating the Board’s renewed strategy of “showcasing, not just telling” the achievements of Nigerian companies benefiting from local content development.
According to Ezeobi, the tour is designed to empower journalists with firsthand knowledge of industry activities, enabling them to more accurately and confidently report NCDMB’s impact. He urged the reporters to serve as “voices and ambassadors” of the Board by helping the public appreciate the Board’s contributions to national economic growth and the strategic importance of Nigerian Content to the country’s industrial evolution.
PE Energy Showcases Strong Local Content Capacity
At PE Energy Limited, the group was received by senior management staff, including the Vice President, Engr. Chukwuemeka Igilar; Executive Director of Global Business Services, Mrs. Daisy Maduagwu; and Nigerian Content Coordinator, Mr. Aniekan Udom, among others.
Welcoming the delegation, Engr. Igilar described PE Energy as “a 100 percent Nigerian company” with deep competence in rotating equipment and flow technology. He emphasised that the company’s investments reflect a deliberate commitment to building indigenous capacity.
“What you will see shortly is the investment we have put on ground to demonstrate our local content capabilities in the oil and gas industry,” he said. “Our core values are built on three Cs—Character, Capacity, and Commitment—and three Ts—Trustworthiness, Transparency, and Timeliness.”
PE Energy’s business operations span flow control, flow measurement solutions, flow drives, process pipeline services, and supply chain management.
Tour of Facilities Reveals Advanced Capabilities
The media team was taken through various sections of the facility, including:
Flow Loop Systems for engineering training
Ventil Control Test Branch
High Integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS)
Assembly line for Completely Knocked Down (CKD) components
Engr. Igilar explained that many of the components previously imported whole are now brought in as CKD for assembly locally—a development he attributed to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and the work of NCDMB.
He further disclosed that PE Energy serves as a re-certification center for major industry players, including Shell (Renaissance), NNPC, Agip, and several local oil companies.
On HIPPS, he noted that the systems are often brought to the facility by international oil companies for testing, validation, and re-certification.
Low Patronage Undermining Local Capacity
Despite its extensive investments and capabilities, the company is currently challenged by low patronage. When asked about the biggest constraint to growth, the Vice President replied simply: “Business.”
Pressed further, he explained: “We have a world-class workshop for valve business—standard anywhere in the world—but patronage is low. We are second to none in the country, yet operators often patronise briefcase contractors who lack the facilities.”
He revealed that a committee had once been set up to verify which companies possessed actual capacity, but lamented that its report has yet to be released. He appealed to NCDMB to revisit the issue.
Despite this, he expressed strong appreciation for NCDMB’s support. “NCDMB means a lot to us. The NOGICD Act has enabled our engineers to be trained. During COVID, we did not shut down because we had the local capacity.”
According to him, between 60 and 65 percent of what the company uses is manufactured in-country. All service jobs done within the facility are executed by Nigerians, reinforcing the firm’s strong local content footprint.
Staff Testify to Strong Training and Job Satisfaction
Several staff members interacted with the media team and confirmed that they are receiving continuous training and are satisfied working with the company. PE Energy’s commitment to capacity building remains evident across its operations.
While NCDMB has not made direct financial investments in the company, PE Energy disclosed that applications for assistance have been submitted and expressed optimism that support will be approved soon.
Engr. Igilar concluded the tour by thanking NCDMB for its guidance and advocacy, while noting that more support—particularly in promoting indigenous patronage—is still needed.