Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of a pipe manufacturing plant at Polaku, Bayelsa State. The project is being promoted by AS Energies Limited. The plant would manufacture Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) pipes. It has an estimated investment outlay of ₦7.04billion (US$8.8million).

Speaking at the event which held last week, the Executive Secretary commended the Management of AS Energies Limited and its subsidiary, African Star Manufacturing Services, on the successful take-off of the construction work on the pipe manufacturing plant. He noted that the project is in line with the mission statement of NCDMB, which is “to promote the development and utilisation of in-country capacities for the industrialisation of Nigeria through the effective implementation of the Nigerian Content Act’’. He further described the ongoing construction activities as a dream come true for the Polaku community as plans for a pipe manufacturing mill in the area had been on the drawing board for a decade.

The NCDMB boss said the Polaku community and the Gbarain Clan are blessed given the concentration of strategic industries in the area and indications that others would be sited there. Some of the firms that are in the locality include the Shell Gas Gathering Plant, Azikel Refinery (a modular hydro-skimming processing plant), the $45 million Types 3 LPG Composite Cylinder Manufacturing Plant, owned by Rungas Prime Industries Limited, and Eraskon Nigeria Limited.

Engr. Wabote said the Pipe Manufacturing Plant is a testament to the giant strides in local content drive in the country, while assuring AS Energies that the NCDMB would give due consideration to its request for support. He equally enjoined the company’s management to explore available financing options so as to ensure the project is delivered on schedule.

The NCDMB boss expressed delight that AS Energies’ pipes will be produced to meet the regulatory standards, such as: ISO 9001- Quality Management System Requirements; ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System Standard; and BS 18001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System Standard. The Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) and Glass Reinforced Plastic pipes are more resistant, lighter, less corrosive and more durable than conventional carbon steel pipes in use, meaning reduced maintenance cost.

Engr. Gbenga Olaniyan, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AS Energies, while delivering the welcome address, said the choice of Polaku as site for the project is deliberate as the company seeks to be a development partner in the area. He expressed profound appreciation to the state government, the NCDMB Management and the host community for the encouragement as his company initiated moves toward actualising its plans.

Engr. Olaniyan assured that AS Manufacturing Services would integrate the community in its operational plans and activities, adding that one of its cardinal principles is to source essential materials locally in advancement of the federal government’s drive for in-country value addition. He expressed confidence that the construction phase of the plant would be completed within 12 months, leading to actual production.

Mr. Augustine Taribene, Managing Director, AS Manufacturing Services Limited, described the pipe manufacturing plant as “echo-friendly”, stating that the company has a waste management policy and strategy that would keep the environment free of pollution. “We want to ensure that whatever we do will not hurt the environment,” he said. The company’s policy, he added, is to establish a workshop to guarantee that operational tools and spares are produced locally.

Also speaking, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, expressed pleasure at the physical presence of the company in the community. He thanked the NCDMB for facilitating the establishment of major indigenous firms in the state.

The presence of the plant, which is the first of its type in Nigeria, is expected to facilitate technology transfer in pipe manufacturing technology and development of a variety of skills among the local population.

Meiza Nigeria