Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has commended ESSO Nigeria for breaking ground on a new $23 million permanent shorebase facility at the LADOL Deep Offshore Logistics Base, describing the development as a clear signal that Nigeria is emerging as a global hub for oil and gas logistics.
The facility, an affiliate project of ExxonMobil, will include an administrative building, warehouses, and other storage areas.
Speaking at Thursday’s ceremony in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omashola Ogbe, congratulated ESSO and LADOL for the milestone, reaffirming the Board’s commitment to enhancing capacity development across the country’s upstream oil and gas supply chain.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOgbe lauded LADOL’s consistency, resilience, and forward-looking approach, noting these qualities had been evident throughout years of collaboration. He framed the groundbreaking within the context of global logistics challenges, citing supply chain disruptions from the Middle East that have driven up costs worldwide.
Represented at the event by his Senior Technical Adviser, Engr. Austin Uzoka, Ogbe said LADOL’s emergence as a credible deep offshore base represents a “direct and tangible response” to vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics. He likened the facility’s expansion to the completion of the Dangote Refinery, highlighting improvements in the nation’s supply chain over the past decade.
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Ogbe urged ESSO Nigeria to adopt front-end-loaded payment arrangements with LADOL, stressing that timely funding would allow the facility to complete the project without resorting to expensive bank loans.
“I would like to encourage you to pay LADOL more. Make sure that it is front-end-loaded, so they can have money to finish this on time without having to go to the banks and pay high interest rates to get the job done,” he said.
He added that robust supply chains are foundational to national development and pledged that the NCDMB will continue collaborating with LADOL and ESSO to strengthen local capacity. Ogbe also commended ESSO as a deliberate and decisive operator, expressing confidence that the project would be delivered on schedule using Nigerian expertise.
Mr. Jagir Baxi, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, described the project as a major investment milestone within ESSO Nigeria’s 70-year partnership in the country. He said the facility underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s deepwater offshore capabilities while supporting local employment and skills development in engineering, construction, and commissioning.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives from the Bank of Industry, LADOL management led by Dr. Amy Jadesimi, ESSO Nigeria leadership, and officials from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other relevant government agencies.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
