The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has inaugurated a 10,000 tonnes per annum galvanising plant for its Train 7 project in Rivers.

The NLNG’s spokesperson, Sophia Horsfall, disclosed in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday that Felix Ogbe, the executive secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, inaugurated the plant.

According to the statement, Mr Ogbe said at the inauguration that the new plant, built by an indigenous company, would boost Nigeria’s galvanising capacity to about 180,000 tonnes annually.

“The facility will serve the oil and gas industry, telecommunications, power, transport and other sectors that require galvanised materials.

“Galvanising is important because it protects materials against corrosion, it extends the service life of steel and enhances cost-effectiveness and safety,” he said.

The executive secretary said the plant had strategically positioned Nigeria to attract businesses from other African countries through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

“This galvanising plant supports the capacity development interventions for the Train 7 project,” he said.

Mr Ogbe said the plant was already contributing to job creation and the economic goals of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

Also speaking at the inauguration, Philip Mshelbila, NLNG’s managing director, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its Nigerian content objectives for the Train 7 project.

Represented by Andy Odeh, the general manager of external relations, Mr Mshelbila stated that protecting steel for durability was a healthy and essential practice in the energy sector.

“Steel protection improves resilience, operational efficiency, and equipment lifespan while reducing replacement costs.

“The plant demonstrates our compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and reflects NLNG’s vision of being a global competitive company, contributing to Nigeria’s economy.

“This facility marks an expansion of our industrial capabilities and reaffirms our commitment to the local economy and job creation for local businesses,” he said.

He further said NLNG had completed key construction phases and integrated advanced technologies to enhance its operational capabilities.

(NAN)