Abuja - Japan-based Petro-Equip Engineering
Company Ltd on Thursday in Abuja signed an
agreement with Akewa Global Services Ltd for the
development of maritime projects in the Burutu
community in Delta.
The Chairman,Akewa Global Services,Chief Kenneth
Donye,signed on behalf of his company and Hans-
Jurgen Fanselau signed for Petro-Equip Engineering
Ltd.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC)
facilitated the deal, worth more than 585 million U.S
dollars. The Executive Secretary of NIPC,Mustafa Bello,
said the first phase of the project would be completed in
36 months.
He said the agreement covers development,
rehabilitation and enhancement of key marine projects,
including the provision of logistics port and marine
facilities as well as a hydro lift dock and fabrication
facility. He said that the deal also covers establishment
of a 200,000-metric tonne oil/gas farm and the setting
up of a timber industry for the production of plywood.
Under the agreement, he added, a 32-km access road
would be constructed in Burutu community.
"It is believed that when the project is completed, it will
create more than 1,500 direct jobs and indirect
employment within the value chain of the industry,’’ he
said. According to him, the companies are expected to
provide basic amenities in the host community as part
of their corporate responsibilities . "The project, when
completed, will also assist in accelerating the
movement of goods to the eastern part of the country as
well as the north through Lokoja dry port,’’Bello said.
He said the commission would work with other
agencies and stakeholders to secure the approvals,
licences and incentives required for successful
implementation of the agreement. The NIPC executive
secretary therefore called on Delta Government and the
host community to support and protect the project.
The Minister of Special Duties,Alhaji Kabiru Turaki,said
the agreement was a testimony that the transformation
agenda of the President is on course. Turaki assured
Petro-Equip Engineering Ltd of a peaceful business
climate and existence of strong legislations to protect
their investments and personnel.
Also speaking, His Royal Majesty Kalanama VII, the
Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom in Burutu Local
Government Area, expressed happiness over the signing
of the agreement. According to him, the project is in line
with Delta Government’s vision of developing an
economy that is not dependent on oil.
He assured the investors of an environment conducive
to business, as well as security of their workers. Petro-
Equip Engineering Company is a consortium of German,
Japanese and Scandinavian maritime engineering
companies, based in Japan. Akewa Global Services Ltd
is a Burutu-based indigenous company involved in
marine business in the Niger Delta area.
- NAN

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