The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has stated that the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the pivotal role of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited in economic advancement of Nigeria as the biggest black nation.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo made this statement when the Executive Management team of the NLNG led by its Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Mshelbila paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday.
He commended the company for exemplifying a thriving public- private partnership, evolving from an entity once reliant on foreign workers to a proudly indigenous management team through its strategic investments in local staff development.
“One key responsibility of the Ministry of Interior is to be enabler of growth. The business permit, expatriate quota, all Immigration activities, within the scope of what we are here to do; will enable growth. We don’t want to be a country that will be perpetually dependent on skills and knowledge of foreigners. We want to be a country that will be able to build capacity to the point that we will also be able to export those capacities. Without a proper knowledge transfer mechanism, this becomes impossible. I think you are one of the few companies that have done well in terms of knowledge transfer and understudy. Because understudy is a critical component of the expatriate quota.
“I want to congratulate you for putting Nigeria in the centre of your operations. You are not the only Government company but You have been able to build the capacity of Nigeria and Nigerians. I appreciate your adherence to provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010. We want businesses to grow and also be done in accordance with the Law, rules and regulations. When rules are constantly violated, anarchy takes charge”, he said.
The Minister expressed optimism about the expansion project and how it will contribute to economic growth. “Your vision for expansion is now. When LNG Train 7 expansion comes on stream, it will boost processing capacity, a lot of jobs will be created, it will also increase your capacity by more than a third.
“And again, I have always said that, Nigeria is an oil poor country but a gas rich country. And the wealth of Nigerians lies in developing our gas assets. I believe the assets are there and the market is available, We can only put on our thinking hats by making sure we occupy our space. All over the world liquefied natural gas is in high demand. We believe that we all must support you, to ensure we take advantage of our gas potentials. For me, gas is not just a way out, gas should not only be a transition, it is a destination. It ought to be a transition and destination.
In addition, Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured the team of his Ministry’s support at all times.
“We believe in your vision, and that the actualization of your vision is integral to the emancipation of our country. For that reason, take this to the bank, if you need our support here, we will be there for you. Our been here for you, is not only for NLNG, it is being here for Nigerians”, he said.
He appealed to NLNG to consider supporting Nigeria Immigration Service and National Security and Civil Defence Corps with training and equipment to boost national security.
Earlier in his speech, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, said he and his management team were on a familiarization visit to thank the Honourable Minister for the support gotten and continued to get from his ministry and to further lay the ground for continued relations.
NLNG was incorporated as a Limited Liability company on May 17, 1989, to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources and produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) for export.
Ozoya Imohimi
Director, Press and Public Relations
