Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has described the first indigenous Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, owned by Nigerian oil magnet, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi, as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s industrial and technological advancement.
Governor Zulum stated this on Saturday, at the sail away ceremony of the EMEM Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Vessel (FPSO), held at the Drydocks World facility in Dubai, which marked the completion of the vessel, and is now set to depart for Nigeria.
“The sail away of the EMEM FPSO is more than an engineering feat,” the governor stated. “It is a powerful statement of confidence in Nigeria’s energy future and a reflection of what homegrown enterprise can achieve when guided by vision, discipline, and excellence.”
He began his remarks by thanking the Government and People of Dubai for their hospitality, noting that hosting the milestone in the UAE “underscores the strength of our mutual commitment to innovation, trade, and sustainable development.”
The EMEM FPSO, a $315 million facility with a storage capacity of one million barrels and a production capability of up to 30,000 barrels per day, is the first FPSO to be fully financed by an indigenous Nigerian company, Oriental Energy Resources Limited.
The governor specifically commended Dr. Muhammadu Indimi and the Oriental Energy Resources team for this “bold accomplishment.”
“This achievement does not only contribute to national output,” he said, “it reinforces our collective belief that Nigeria’s private sector has the capacity to drive growth, create jobs, and compete globally.”
Upon its deployment to Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 15, the FPSO is expected to boost Nigeria’s oil production and enhance national revenue, aligning with the economic diversification goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Zulum concluded that the project’s success reflects the “resilience, innovation, and self-reliance” that define ongoing efforts to rebuild Borno State.
“It inspires confidence that, with determination and partnership, Nigeria’s best days lie ahead,” he said.
He wished the EMEM FPSO a safe voyage and productive operations, calling it a “symbol of Nigeria’s strength, ingenuity, and promise.”
The event was attended by the Governor of Adamawa, Hon. Ahmadu Umoru Fintiri and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Umo Eno; elder statesman Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON); Chairman (CEO) Oriental Energy Resources, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri and representative of the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
