Firm Calls for Stronger Local Content Enforcement To Boost Oil Sector

Marconi.NG EPC Limited has appealed to the federal Government and oil industry stakeholders to remain firm in implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, stressing that consistent local content policies are key to job creation, industry growth, and national economic development.

The company made the call during a facility tour organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for select journalists in Port Harcourt.

Speaking during the tour, the chief executive Officer of Marconi, Gian Fabio Del Cioppo, said Marconi is well positioned to support Nigeria’s energy goals.

He explained that the company has the technical capacity, equipment, and human resources to deliver world-class fabrication and engineering projects at competitive costs and timelines, fully aligned with the government’s push for new investments in the oil and gas sector.

Marconi, which acquired the assets of the former Saipem Rumuolumeni Yard in May 2025, now operates one of the largest fabrication facilities in West Africa. The yard spans over one million square meters, includes a 330-meter jetty, and can fabricate more than 25,000 tons of heavy structures annually.

Del Cioppo said these capabilities make the company ready to handle complex offshore and onshore EPC projects.

He warned that Nigeria must not allow pressure to derail the progress made in local content implementation over the last 15 years.

According to him, steady enforcement of the NOGICD Act will ensure that more jobs remain in the country, more Nigerians are trained, and more value is retained within the economy.

During the tour, Marconi’s Nigerian Content Manager, Dr. David Editang, explained that the company retained local experts who had operated the yard for decades before the acquisition.

He added that the facility can fabricate, store, and load out project structures through its three jetties and has contributed to major national projects, including Egina, Usan, Akpo, and Train 7.

Officials of the NCDMB, led by the General Manager of Corporate Communications, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, said the visit was part of the Board’s mandate to showcase indigenous capacity and deepen media understanding of the oil and gas sector.

Ezeobi noted that Marconi is now positioned to operate across the entire value chain—from land and swamp terrains to deep offshore operations.

He explained that Sections 67 and 70 of the NOGICD Act empower the NCDMB to promote Nigerian content through communication, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.

According to him, strengthening local content is essential to building a resilient energy sector and supporting national development.

Ezeobi added that the Board maintains strong partnerships with media stakeholders across Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja, ensuring consistent education, transparency, and industry awareness.