Nigerdock
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A Questionnaire from Mount Spiral Nig. Ltd. for Tv/documenary on the Nigeria Content Policy 1. Can you describe the state of Niger Dock installed capacity before the full implementation of the Nigerian Content policy from year 2005? Nigerdock as of 2005 already had the capacity to execute major fabrication jobs inclusive of jackets, modules, subsea equipment, decks, buoys, and platforms. With or without the Nigerian Content Law being passed, our vision was to be a premier yard in the region and our focus has always been to develop into a yard with capability to do process modules, topsides for platforms and FPSO's as well as pressure vessels and more complex fabrication scope. With this in mind we have had an investment profile that focused on training, equipment and project management to ensure we are able to meet industry standards and deliver projects safely, on time and on budget. The NC policy can only give us more opportunities if it is implemented efficiently. Financing is a major concern in the industry. How has Niger Dock been able to surmount this challenge? It's been difficult; Nigerdock has relied on its shareholders for financing. There are concerns that most indigenous operators may not have the requisite installed capacity to make the Nigerian Content law operable. Do you agree with this and what is the current installed engineering and manpower capacity of Niger Dock? Nigerdock can only speak for itself and not the rest of the industry, but as far as capacity and capability, Nigerdock has well over the amount needed to execute major jobs. A true gauge for this question is while many say Nigeria or Nigerdock does not have enough capacity, then why are most fabrication yards including Nigerdock struggling for work? Also of major concern is manpower training. How is Niger Dock dealing with this concern? Are there arrangements in place with foreign entities to facilitate training and possible technology transfer? Nigerdock has the most advanced training school in the country. With highly skilled development classes that offered international certification and development. We have been able to achieve world class results that have been translated into efficiency in our production and also offer training to external clients in the country. Inextricably tied to the success of the Nigerian Content law is the steady flow of jobs in the industry. However, following the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, there appears to be a dearth of investments in projects. What is Niger Dock doing in the face of dwindling projects from within the industry? We are barely coping with this major downturn. The little jobs available have been bundled as part of larger packages making it harder for indigenous yards to bid the scope. Overall the industry is really struggling, and it is a shame to see a yard such as ours with a lack of continuous work that challenges us as well as gives us confidence to keep investing. Nigeria has all the necessary ingredients to achieve major projects, we just need the support as well as the Jobs domesticated in country. Have you been forced to lay off workers? Yes, we have always been forced to lay of highly trained staff at intervals. This is primarily due to the lack of through put of consistent work in the yard. Overall the fabrication industry has been plagued with insufficient work being
awarded to Nigerian yards and suffers greatly from work scope being executed abroad. Have you resorted to surviving on bailouts from your foreign partners? Nigerdock is a wholly indigenous yard and we do not have any foreign partners in our company. It has been shareholders funds that have been invested and till date there has been no recovery of this massive investment. Are you satisfied with the current configuration of the NCDMB and its operations or are there areas where you perceive they can do better? It is still in its youth, only time will tell how it will impact the industry, we can only continue to champion the Nigerian Content drive and offer the solutions to our clients that we can achieve success in Nigeria. The security concerns in the delta are slowly creeping up again. How do you think this will affect implementation of the Nigerian Content law and how do you propose we tackle it? It is highly unfortunate that the issues in the Delta remain unresolved. It has a negative impact on the entire country, especially when we are asking both Nigerians and
international companies to invest in our economy. We can only support NCD, NNPC, Napims, and the government in pushing through the Nigerian Content Law and hope that it will impact more positively on the region.