The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited says its $10 billion Train 7 project, which Final Investment Decision (FID) is about to be signed this month, signalling the commencement of the project, is expected to create 10,000 new jobs.

It further said the project will also support massive capacity building in engineering and fabrication and expand the scope of economic opportunities for Nigerians, especially, its host communities as both contractors and ancillary service providers will be positively impacted.

Additionally, on completion, the revenue profile of the government will be diversified just as its tax base will experience a boost.

NLNG’s Head, Media Relations and Corporate Communications, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, made these disclosures in response to Kristina Reports’ enquiries on the issues surrounding the Train 7 project.

“The project is anticipated to create about 10,000 new jobs during the construction stage, and on completion, help to further diversify the revenue portfolio of the government and increase its tax base.”

“The Project will also support the development of local engineering and fabrication capacity as well as facilitate opportunities in procurement, logistics, equipment leasing, insurance, hotels, office supplies, aviation, haulage, and many more.”

The Nigerian gas company was part of the just concluded GASTECH 2019, a convergence of the global gas community, comprising operators, regulators, investors, among others, where its Managing Director, Tony Attah made a presentation of deliverables, value addition and positive prospects of the Train 7 project for Nigeria and the global gas community.

Recall that the Signing of the Letter of Intent by the preferred bidder for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the Train 7 project of the Nigeria LNG took place on September 11, 2019.

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The preferred bidder for the project, as announced by the NLNG, was the SCD Group, a consortium comprising Saipem, Daewoo and Chiyoda, which is expected to handle the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) project for the $10 billion project located at NLNG’s liquefied natural gas plant in Bonny Island, Rivers State.

The NLNG also said, as a responsible corporate citizen, it was committed to implementation of local content parameters for the Train 7 project, saying it has been upfront and in concert with its host communities in ensuring compliance to the benefit of all stakeholders.

“NLNG is committed to the implementation of a Nigerian Content Plan for Train 7 Project. The plan, which was signed off with Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in March 2019, will ensure the delivery of value and benefits to all stakeholders and the Nigerian economy”.

Further to this, the company stated that it remains committed to the development of its primary host community, Bonny, explaining that it was “actively involved in CSR in Bonny, crystallised in the overarching drive to make Bonny a major tourism hub in the region. Key projects implemented by the company include the Bonny-Bodo Road, Bonny Water project, Bonny Health Insurance programme, Bonny Vocational Centre, and Bonny Utility Company, etc”.

Palmer-Ikuku maintained that the NLNG frowns at unwholesome activities such sexual harassment, workplace intimidation, non-compliance with employment quotas, and any type of discrimination.

“NLNG has zero tolerance for sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying, discrimination etc. The company’s position on such undesirable behaviour is embedded in its policies which are applicable to NLNG personnel and all contractors. In addition, a rule for engagement with host communities is embedded in all contractual agreements involving relationship management and NLNG monitors contractors to ensure compliance to this rule.”

The NLNG also distanced itself from any form of malpractices related to recruitment processes in Bonny, asserting that it was committed to compliance with regulatory frameworks, local content parameters, and global best practices as relates to staff recruitment and expects its contractors to toe same path.

“NLNG recruitments are advertised in conventional and social media. Transparent and verifiable processes of selection are applied in our recruitment exercises. Our Contractors are expected to adopt similar transparent process for recruitments through Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre (BIRC), using the local content parameters.”

It vehemently dismissed claims from some quarters that the land area from its company gate at Willbros junction to its jetty area was not part of the land allocated to it, stating that “these claims are false and misleading”.