….pledges Industry Support
By Halima Abubakar
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has pledged to encourage operators in the oil and gas industry to patronise Brentex Petroleum Services Limited’s $50 million Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility, describing the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive to deepen local manufacturing and engineering capacity.
The facility, located at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne Port, Rivers State, is designed to provide integrated steel pipe induction bending, heat treatment, testing and coating services for the oil and gas industry.
With more than $26 million already invested, the project is expected to become Africa’s first fully integrated 2-inch to 48-inch steel pipe induction bending and coating plant when completed.
Speaking during an inspection of the facility on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, commended Brentex Petroleum Services Limited for its investment and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting initiatives that expand in-country capacity and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.
Represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Ogbe described the facility as a practical demonstration of the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
“We’ve been on this journey with Brentex for over a decade. Today, we’ve seen the remarkable progress on the ground.
This is exactly what the Board’s equipment component manufacturing initiative seeks to achieve through in-country value addition, and Brentex has remained steadfast,” he said.
He noted that the project would boost Nigeria’s specialised pipeline engineering capabilities, create jobs, retain industry value within the country and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading energy services hub in Africa.
Ogbe also assured the company of the Board’s continued support.
“I’d like to express the Board’s appreciation for your investment in Nigeria and assure you of our support. Whatever we can do to encourage industry patronage of this facility, we will do because it is important that operators utilise available local capacity,” he said.
He urged Brentex to sustain the project’s momentum while maintaining high standards of quality, safety and operational excellence, expressing confidence that the facility would become a flagship Nigerian Content asset.
Managing Director of Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, Mr. Chidi Nzerem, thanked the NCDMB delegation for the visit, describing it as a strong endorsement of the project.
He acknowledged the Board’s support over the past decade, noting that its interventions had played a key role in advancing the facility, which was conceived to support the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
Nzerem disclosed that the plant is expected to commence full operations in the fourth quarter of 2027.
Responding to questions on human capital development, he said Brentex plans to partner with the NCDMB on training programmes after the facility receives certification.
He added that the project would employ about 200 engineers and technical personnel while providing skills transfer and capacity-building opportunities, with the long-term objective of being fully operated by Nigerians.
Project Manager, Engr. Patrick Anaje, described the facility as the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa and said it would significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported specialised pipeline engineering services.
According to him, Brentex is already participating in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline project, where the facility’s induction bending and coating capabilities will add significant value.
He noted that about 95 per cent of steel pipes used in the industry are currently imported, making local induction bending, coating and pipe repair services critical to reducing procurement costs, shortening project delivery timelines and improving operational efficiency.
Anaje added that the facility would also help retain more value within Nigeria’s economy while supporting the country’s industrialisation agenda.
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