The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced a feasibility study for the construction of a shipyard in Brass Island, Bayelsa State, according to a press release by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Saturday.
The shipyard will be for the maintenance and repair services of cargo vessels, oil tankers, and LNG carriers.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Silva during the kick-off meeting on Thursday which he chaired, stated that the project will be executed by China Harbour Engineering Company.
According to the press release, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will fund the feasibility study as part of its mandate to domicile key oil and gas industry infrastructure and increase retention of industry spend. The following will be covered under the feasibility study;
- Geotechnical and bathymetric surveys
- Conducting a market study
- Ascertaining an optimal construction scale
- Developing technical proposal and construction plan
- Estimation of the required investment to bring the project into reality
The project’s schedule indicates that the site work would be executed within six months while feasibility study would be completed in four months according to the press release.
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In his presentation, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, said that “the Brass shipyard project and other ongoing efforts to catalyze manufacturing would help the Board achieve the target of 70 percent Nigerian Content by 2027.”
He also said that the objectives of NCDMB’s Marine Vessel Strategy includes promotion of indigenous ownership, increase participation and increase capacity of local shipyards to build, service & maintain marine vessels of various sizes and manufacturing of vessel components and consumables in-country.
Other objectives of the Marine Strategy are to give first consideration to Nigerian built or owned vessels for contract award and job offers, discourage capital flight, generate employment and increase retention of Industry spends and stimulate value creation.
Written by;
Ifunanya Ikueze