By Our Correspondent
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has commended Brentex Petroleum Services Limited for progress on its $50 million Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility at the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne Port, Rivers State.
The NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Esueme Kikile, gave the commendation during an inspection tour of the facility on Thursday. The project, which has attracted more than $26 million in investment, will provide integrated steel pipe induction bending, heat treatment, testing and coating services.
According to the company, the facility, upon completion, will have the capacity to handle pipes ranging from two to 48 inches and is expected to be the first fully integrated facility of its kind in Africa. Ogbe said the project aligned with the NCDMB’s efforts to promote in-country value addition and build local capacity in specialised pipeline engineering.
He urged Brentex to maintain high standards of quality and safety and assured the company of the Board’s continued support. Brentex Managing Director, Chidi Nzerem, said the facility was expected to become fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2027 and create about 200 jobs for engineers and technical personnel.
Project Manager Patrick Anaje said the facility would help reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported steel pipes, shorten project timelines and retain more value within the country. He added that Brentex was involved in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project, where the facility’s capabilities could support pipeline development.
