NETCO MD Visits NCDMB, Seeks Strategic Collaboration to Drive Expanded Industry Mandate

The Managing Director of NNPC Engineering and Technical Company Limited (NETCO), Salahuddeen Tahir, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary (ES) of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), along with the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) to the ES, at the Board’s office in Ikoyi, Lagos. This visit was aimed at reinforcing the collaborative relationship between the two organisations and exploring further opportunities to advance local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

During the meeting, the NETCO Managing Director formally introduced the company as one of the leading indigenous engineering firms in Nigeria, boasting nearly four decades of experience in delivering high-value projects across the energy industry. He emphasised NETCO’s established reputation for excellence, particularly in core service areas such as engineering, Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), and Detailed Engineering Design (DED). These strengths have positioned NETCO as a trusted partner in managing complex projects within the sector.

Welcoming the delegation, the Managing Director of NETCO, reaffirmedNETCO’s determination to form meaningful and valued relationships/partnerships that enhance the capacity and capability of NETCO.

Building on its strong track record, Salahuddeen Tahir outlined NETCO’s strategic repositioning to meet the evolving demands of the industry, especially considering the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). NETCO is now expanding its operations to cover the entire project lifecycle. This includes construction management, procurement, installation, commissioning, as well as operations and maintenance services. The MD explained that this transition is aligned with national objectives to enhance local capacity and reduce reliance on foreign expertise.

Recognising the significant capital and technical resources required for this expanded mandate, the Managing Director revealed that NETCO is actively seeking strategic partnerships with reputable blue-chip companies. These collaborations are expected to help scale NETCO’s capabilities, boost competitiveness, and enable the delivery of world-class solutions within the sector.

Salahuddeen Tahir stressed the importance of institutional backing in achieving these ambitious goals. He called on NCDMB to provide continued support, noting that such assistance would be vital in strengthening indigenous participation and ensuring sustainable value creation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to partnering with NETCO, encouraging the company to consider forming consortium arrangements for greater project execution capacity. Additionally, the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) highlighted seven promising projects for NET CO’s consideration: Bolia Chota, Bonga Southwest, IMA, FSO Unity, OPL 245, Total Pigging, and Owowo.

In furthering its collaborative efforts, Tahir announced NETCO’s intention to work alongside established industry players such as Crestech, DeltaAfrik, IESL, Dover, Amazon, and willing to support any other upcoming local company. He noted that these alliances would support knowledge sharing, innovation, and capacity development among Nigerian firms.

The visit concluded on a positive note, with both NETCO and NCDMB reaffirming their commitment to deepening collaboration in line with the Federal Government’s local content development agenda. This engagement is anticipated to pave the way for strengthened partnerships that will enhance Nigeria’s engineering and technical capabilities within the oil and gas sector.