How NIPCO enhances local content in compressed natural gas scheme The Guardian, 16 November, 2016
Managing Director, NIPCO Plc. Venkataraman Venkatapathy, has said that the diversification of the company’s operations into the natural gas created a vista of opportunities for the enhancement of local content in the industry.
He disclosed this in a paper presented on his behalf by General Manager, Green Gas Limited, a Joint Venture of Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), and NIPCO, Rajesh Prabhu, at a session on Nigerian Content and Gas Opportunity during the Nigerian Gas Association conference in Abuja.
Rajesh stated that the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) revolution had offered alternatives for motorist to power their vehicles with gas courtesy of the partnership with Nigerian Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. According to him, the partnership, through which 6,000 automobiles now run on gas, has exposed local content to the latest technology in gas compression and conversion of vehicles.
He said the development of Nigerian Content through a plethora of projects tailored around harnessing human capital remains a central objective of the company in the hydrocarbon industry. Citing the example of compressed natural gas projects which had resulted in the inauguration of eight stations in Benin, Edo State and Ibafo, Ogun State along with four CNG workshops, Rajesh explained that the efforts had provided veritable avenue for the local content to gravitate properly in this very technical aspect of converting vehicles to run on gas.
He said the company was able to utilize local content through a consistent and pragmatic policy in the area of human capital development which has even seen the organisation surpassing standards set by the Nigerian Content Development Act (NOGICD 2010 ), in all its gas projects. Venkatapathy pointed out that vehicle conversion to enable motorists use gas as auto fuel is now fully manned by Nigerians, as the technology has been effectively transferred to them as against when the project took off years back.
He also cited the empowerment provided for Nigerians in the production of Gas Air Mixers, an aluminum casting used in vehicle conversions which are being fabricated by indigenes in the city of Benin, Edo State. He asserted that the company’s avowed commitment to growing indigenous participation in the CNG initiative revolves around improving indigenous ability in a very pragmatic approach.
He said NIPCO has also encouraged technology transfer within its project scope especially in the realm of compressed natural gas operations with all its CNG stations fully manned and maintain by Nigerians.