The Naval Dockyard Limited, on Thursday, signed an agreement with Dateline Energy Services Limited for the construction of 4,000 metric tonnes of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Coastal Transportation Barges.
At the official signing ceremony in Lagos, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, disclosed that the project when completed would spur the growth of Research and Development, indigenous vessel construction and local content development in the country.
Ogalla who was represented by the chief executive officer, Navy Holdings Limited, Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje, stated that the partnership with the company will create employment across the maritime oil and gas ecosystem as well as economic growth in allied fields across the value chain.
He said, “I must say that this ceremony marks a significant and important milestone for the Nigerian Navy, the Naval Dockyard Limited, Dateline Energy Services and indeed Nigeria at large as the proposed construction of the 4,000 metric tons LPG Coastal Gas Transportation Barge.
“This is indicative of how far these institutions and indeed the nation have developed capacity to indigenise the construction of such an enormous and complex vessel.”
“Particularly, the occasion and ultimately the execution of the Gas Transport Barge project would generate several positive outcomes of the seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“It is believed that this would spur the growth of Research and Development, indigenous vessel construction and local content development towards building sustainable paths to progress.”
“This occasion marks the beginning of a project that would transform the energy sector in Nigeria and Africa.
“This is very vital as the nation and countries all over the world transit to Liquefied Petroleum Gas as a cleaner and more cost-efficient substitute to other forms of hydrocarbons towards mitigating the impact of Climate Change.”
“Pertinently, I would like to state that this contract agreement for the construction of the Coastal Gas Transportation Barge is a product of the Nigerian Navy’s vigorous pursuit of willing and able strategic partners across government agencies and private sector such as Dateline Energy Services Limited.
Speaking earlier, Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, said partnership with Dateline Energy Services would strengthen and pave the way for further localisation of construction of other oil and gas vessels and infrastructure.
According to him, “It is on this basis that I would like to state that this ceremony is significantly important to the Naval Dockyard Limited and our friend and partners from Dateline Energy Services as this would strengthen and pave the way for further localisation of construction of other oil and gas vessels and infrastructure, spurring the requisite necessary growth of Research and Development, and local content development towards building the maritime and energy sector.
“I am, therefore, grateful to the Almighty God and pleased to introduce the Naval Dockyard to this distinguished audience consisting of key players in the nation’s economy.
“I am indeed confident that the partnership between the Yard and Dateline Energy Services would yield fruitful dividends for our collective benefit while providing a roadmap to greater and more rewarding achievements,” he stated.
