By David Owei

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has lauded Brentex Petroleum Services Limited on the significant progress recorded on its Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne Port, Rivers State, describing it as a landmark industrial project and a major demonstration of Nigeria’s growing status as a leading hub for oil and gas logistics, engineering, and manufacturing services. 
The Brentex Facility is a $50 million investment being developed to provide integrated steel pipe induction bending, heat treatment, testing, and coating services for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The project, which has attracted over $26 million in investments to date, is expected to become Africa’s first fully integrated 2-inch to 48-inch steel pipe induction bending and coating plant upon completion.
Speaking during a tour of the facility at Onne Port on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, congratulated Brentex Petroleum Services Limited on the project and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to working with industry stakeholders to deepen in-country capacity, promote industrialisation, and expand the scope of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
He praised Brentex Petroleum Services Limited for its bold investment, resilience, and commitment to developing indigenous capacity, noting that the company’s steady progress on the facility reflected the growing confidence of Nigerian firms in delivering world-class oil and gas infrastructure and engineering solutions.
The Executive Secretary, represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (MED), Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq, noted that the emergence of the Brentex Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility represents “a direct and tangible response to the quest for in-country capacity in specialised pipeline engineering services,” adding that the project would advance “our collective goal of retaining value, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading energy services hub in Africa.”
In a recollection of the beginnings of the company and the project, he disclosed, “We’ve been on this journey with Brentex for over a decade. Today, we’ve seen what you are doing on ground. And that’s actually the whole idea about the equipment component manufacturing initiative of the NCDMB – in-country value addition – and you have been steadfast.”
The NCDMB boss urged the Management of Brentex to sustain the momentum on the project and maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and operational excellence, noting that the facility has the potential to become a flagship Nigerian Content asset and a reference point for specialised pipeline engineering services across Africa.
“I’d like to express the Board’s deep appreciation for your investment in our country, and to assure you that you have our support,” he declared, adding, “Whatever we can also do to get the industry to patronise this investment, we’ll do that, because it’s very important that the industry take advantage of what we have in-country.”
In his opening remarks, the Managing Director of Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, Mr. Chidi Nzerem thanked the Executive Secretary and the NCDMB delegation for the visit, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the project and its contribution to the growth of in-country capacity.
He also acknowledged the Board’s support and partnership over the past 10 years, noting that the sustained interventions had been instrumental to the facility’s progress, adding that it was conceived to advance the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
Nzerem expressed high hopes that the Board’s support would be sustained, hinting that the facility is scheduled to become fully operational in the last quarter of 2027.
Responding to an inquiry by the General Manager, Downstream, Project Certification and Authorisation Division (PCAD), Ms. Tassalla Tersurgh, on the facility’s contribution to human capital development, the Managing Director said the company would engage NCDMB after facility certification to develop training programmes aligned with the Board’s mandate.
He disclosed that the facility is expected to engage about 200 engineers and other technical personnel, creating employment, technical training, skills transfer and capacity-building opportunities, with the long-term goal of the facility being 100 per cent handled and operated by trained Nigerians.

Speaking on the strategic importance of the facility, the Project Manager at Brentex, Engr. Patrick Anaje, stated that the facility, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, is expected to transform pipeline engineering services by providing the country’s first fully integrated in-country solution for steel pipe induction bending and coating. He disclosed that Brentex is currently engaged in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline project, where the company’s new capabilities would be of immense value.
He noted that with an estimated 95 per cent of steel pipes currently imported, the facility will enable operators to source specialised pipe induction bending, coating and pipe repair services locally, significantly reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and overseas repairs, shortening project delivery timelines, lowering procurement-related delays and costs, and improving operational efficiency across the oil and gas industry. He added that the project will also deliver significant benefits to the national economy by retaining industry value within Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by top management officials of NCDMB, executives of Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, industry stakeholders, project consultants, contractors, representatives of the host communities of Onne and Ogu, members of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC), and members of the media, who witnessed firsthand the significant progress recorded on the strategic Nigerian Content project.

By Our Correspondent

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeri‌a, S‍enat‌or Olurem‌i Ti‌nubu⁠,has visited Abia State, joined the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex O‍tti, and his Wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti on a tour to th‍e Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society in Akwete, Ukwa E⁠ast LGA of the State and donated N2 Billion to support the empowerment of women in Akwete cloth production hub.

First Lady inspect Akwete weavering industry

Speaking at a reception held in her honour at Township School Akwete, on Tuesday,Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the Akwete cloth as a craft transferred from generation to generation and called on all Nigerians to take Akwete to the nation.

“I am here to announce to all Nigerians, the Igbos should take Akwete to the nation. I tell them, if you all wear and tie Ashoki. Why not wear Akwete? It’s a beautiful fabric. And those are the things that they have to modernise.

“But for me, and for all the notable sons of Igbo land, it’s not only Abia State, but all the other Igbo lands, rise up to the occasion to preserve this.

“On my own, I told the Governor, I’m donating two billion Naira to the project. I don’t know how you want to use it.

The First Lady, who described Governor Otti as a good man, said the event was supposed to be a low key visit but was surprised that the Governor made it a very resounding visit, and thanked the Governor .

“Otti is a good man. He’s a very good man. And I see that. And I want to thank you so much, Your Excellency. And I remember when I was calling you looking for your wife too, concerning Akwete, but I thank God we are here.

“This was supposed to be just a short visit to see these women. And it turned out to be the entire state came to welcome me. I am humbled.

“And I thank you. And thank you, Your Excellency. And I see why you wanted me to just come, you kept calling and you wanted to give the best.

She narrated how she picked interest in Akwete, saying that it was divinely orchestrated, and assured of wearing Akwete in the second term of her husband.

“While I was watching a documentary, I ran into it on NTA. And I saw this woman. When I hear Akwete, I normally think its from Ghana.

“Since last year, I’ve been bothering her (Mrs. Otti). I want to go to Akwete. I want to say I love traditional outfit. I love it because our tradition and culture tell us who we are. The moment we lose that, we won’t remember where we come from.

“And I will tell you, I told Her Excellency, I said, if God brings my husband in, a second time, I’ll be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete,” Mrs. Tinubu stated.

Also speaking, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti thanked the First Lady for her decision to visit and assist the Akwete women, noting that , it was the First Lady herself that watched a documentary on the Akwete women and decided to visit and empower the women and noted that the visit meant a lot for him.

“I want to thank you. This visit means a whole lot to us. For us, we have been engaging with Akwete as far back as 2023, after I was sworn in. We believe, just like you do, that there is a lot that Akwete can do. The first thing that we needed to do was to break barriers of tradition.

“So, it is very, very strategic that you made this visit at this time. I want to also underscore what we represent in Abia here. Once you live in Abia, you are from Abia. We have a large community of Hausa and Yoruba community in Abia. And they are fully integrated into what we are doing,” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who said that good governance transcends party affiliation, noted that the people know when one is giving good governance, and lauded Mr. President for being courageous enough to remove petroleum subsidy.

“I want to thank you. I want to also plead with you to take our felicitations to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want you to please thank him.

“Thank him for his courage. Thank him for his sacrifices. Some people may not understand. It takes a man with courage to do what he did in 2023. Remove petroleum subsidy. And follow suit with the floating of the Naira.

“What has that done? That has freed up a lot of funds that would have been used in financing consumption. To doing other things in the federal government, in the states, and in the local governments. And today, a lot of states are now paying salaries,” Gov. Otti stated.

He said that his government is ready to work cooperatively with the First Lady to
build a production hub, for Akwete women.

Earlier in her welcome address, the wife of the Abia State Governor, lady Priscilla Otti, said Akwete Cloth is one of the oldest and most distinguished textiles tradition of the Igbo Nation, woven by hands by the women of Akwete in Abia State, a tradition that credits the visionary weaver, Daada Nwankata with elevating the craft in the 19th century.

Lady Otti, who said that the day marks the first time a First Lady of Nigeria has come in person to stand with and support the women of Abia, thanked the First Lady for being a true mother to the nation, and for remaining intentional about improving the economic well-being of Nigerian women, adding that Abia women are direct beneficiaries of her generosity.

“This is truly a historic moment and its significance cannot be overstated. It speaks unmistakably to your genuine commitment to creating practical impacts in the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerian women.

“Under your leadership, the social investment programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative continue to deliver real and practical change through grants and business support for female, micro, small and medium enterprises.

“We could not have asked for a better mother. May the Almighty God continue to strengthen you,” Mrs. Otti stated.

In their goodwill messages, the Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abairibe, member representing Ukwa East and West federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwota and former Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr. Sampson Ogah thanked the First Lady for coming to identify with the Akwete women and appreciated the wife of the Governor for discovering the Akwete women, while describing the event as remarkable, and assured the Governor of his second term in office.

Hon. Chris Nkwota in particular, while stressing the need to give Akwete cloth the needed visibility and creating befitting weaving centre for the women, said that Governor Otti has redefined governance in Abia State and announced openly that, though he is in APC, he would vote for him.

“This is a man that has come to redefine governance in Abia State. This man has come to redefine governance in Abia State. I’m a member of APC. But I’ll tell you something today, my vote is for Dr Governor Alex Otti,” Hon. Nkwota stated.

Also, the Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chima Desmond Anyaso appreciated the fact that the economic importance of boosting the Akwete cloth production.

Dr. Anyaso commended the wife of the Abia State Governor and the First Lady of the Nation for their commitment to support the women, irrespective of political party differences.

The event, which featured the conferment of a chieftaincy title of “Ugo Nwanyi of Abia”, meaning the pride of woman,on the First Lady attracted many dignitaries from various political parties in the State.

By George Mgbeleke

The Federal Government on Monday declared that the Nation’s debt profile is exaggerated as monies borrowed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu within the last three years , are no where near the N80trillion being bandied by public commentators and erroneously reported by the media .

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele made the clarification in his submissions on the State of the Nation’s Economy to the Senate Committee on Finance .

Responding to question asked by Senator Adamu Aliero ( Kebbi Central ) on alleged N80trillion debt profile incurred by the present administration in addition to N75trillion inherited, the Finance Minister said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government did not borrow money near quoted the figure .

The entire debt profile according to him, is exaggerated through multiple reporting by media and accounting misadjustment by those over calculating it .

He said : When this administration came into office, public debt was around ₦75 trillion. Many people simply compare that figure with today’s debt stock and conclude that this government has borrowed massively.

“However, it is important to note that, following the reforms and the depreciation of the naira, the foreign currency component of our public debt had to be revalued because Nigeria reports its debt in naira. That accounting adjustment alone added more than ₦40 trillion to the public debt figure.

“Another important factor is the securitization of the Ways and Means advances from the previous administration, which the National Assembly approved. About ₦33 trillion was added to the public debt through that process. It was not new borrowing; it was simply bringing previously existing obligations onto the official debt books.

“These factors have not always been properly explained, which is why the reported public debt appears much larger.

“The actual amount this administration has borrowed is nowhere near what many people believe. Even for domestic borrowing, much of it is refinancing. Debt that was borrowed previously matures, and government raises new debt to refinance it. That is not new borrowing”, he said .

He added that President Tinubu led administration has been very responsible in its borrowing which are strictly for infrastructure and not for anything consumptive.

“This administration has been very responsible in its borrowing. We understand the concerns of Nigerians and of the distinguished senators, but we remain fully committed to debt sustainability.

“We see debt as leverage. Every naira and every dollar borrowed should generate more value than the amount borrowed”, he said .

He was however tackled by some members of the committee , particularly the Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno ( Borno North) and Senator Adamu Aliero on non implementation of the capital component of 2026 budget , which according to Monguno, constitutes an impeachable offence .

But the Chairman of the committee, Senator Sani Musa ( Niger East), bailed the Minister out by assuring his colleagues that implementation of the capital components of the 2026 budget would soon be felt by all and sundry .

Sani Musa at the end of closed door session the committee had with the Minister and other members of the economic team, said they collaborated to make budget management flow with revenue .

” Performance and priority based budgeting system is being looked at , to replace the envelope system and also reverting back to old system of payments for contractors “, he said .