NLNG commissions multi-billion naira ultra-modern, smart head office in Port Harcourt

Ben Eguzozie, in Port Harcourt

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has commissioned its ultra-modern and smart corporate head-office complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The complex is a four-storey complex with cluster buildings occupying 76,000 square metres of land and equipped with one boardroom, 121 office spaces, 51 meeting and huddle rooms, smart and ergonomic workstations, a library, a press centre and a creche.

Other features include: a transit lounge for the Company’s jetty, a warehouse, a dedicated fire station, a gym, two banking halls, an ATM gallery, ample green area.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State commissioned the imposing edifice at NLNG’s Amadi-Ama location of Port Harcourt. As part of the commissioning, the governor was led on a tour by the Chairman of NLNG’s Board of Directors, Edmund Daukoru, former Petroleum Minister, together with the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Tony Attah; Deputy Managing Director, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, and other members of the Company’s senior management team.

Construction of the head-office complex began in 2015 with Governor Wike flagging off the construction of the building off at its ground-breaking ceremony.

He commended the NLNG management for taking a bold step towards strengthening its relationship with the people of Rivers State. He stated that NLNG’s presence in Port Harcourt City spoke volumes of the Company’s respect for Rivers State people. He added that the decision by Company to construct its head office in the state showed that Rivers State is safe for business.

“I am here because NLNG has show a lot of commitment and support for the host communities and the state. The company has done well and has set an example for other companies to emulate. I am happy with what the company has done for the host communities during the construction of the building. That is what is expected. It has a very good relationship with its hosts in Bonny and in other parts of the state and I believe it will continue to enjoy a hitch-free business in the state,” Governor Wike said.

According to Attah, the Company’s Managing Director, the building and commissioning of the corporate head office, was in line with its vision of being a global LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria.

He stated further that the Corporate Head Office has made the Company more visible, adding that the office was an unequivocal statement that NLNG remains a committed partner to the people of Rivers State in the sustainable development of the state.

“Nigeria LNG’s resolve to relocate its corporate head office from Lagos where it was established from inception of its operation was a well thought out decision that, among other things, demonstrates our strong bond of friendship with Port Harcourt and Rivers State even as we reinforce our commitment to stand tall as a Nigerian brand in the global marketplace. By this action, we also attest that Rivers State is not just the ‘Treasure Base of the Nation’ but the home of uncommon hospitality which we have come to enjoy and reciprocate at every opportunity,” he said.

According to Attah: “Beyond building a head office for our business, the beautification of this once remote locality was also in our hearts when we started this project. Earlier in August 2018, we had opened a part of this complex – an ultra-modern Transit Lounge – to enable a smooth and comfortable sail between our operating base on Bonny Island and the state capital.

He said the construction of the facility was actually LNG’s first major step at transforming the shoreline, and since then it has intensified its usual efforts at making the creek a viable waterway for meaningful human activities. Today, it prides itself, even if modestly, as a beacon of modernity in this axis of Port Harcourt. But equally important, we hope that our presence will trigger positive developments in real estate and ancillary businesses in the area.

“The commissioning of this complex is coming at such an auspicious time in the life of Nigeria LNG, a time when we have astutely proven our self as an excellent and reliable player in the global LNG market with 20 years record and still counting. Our doggedness towards achieving even more success in both the international market and the domestic energy sector has prompted the commencement of our Train 7 project which has been avidly socialized among all critical stakeholders,” Attah said.

The NLNG managing director and chief execxutive stated that one of the signs of the Company’s commitment to the people of Rivers State in the sustainable development of the state is the N120bn Bonny-Bodo Road, which NLNG is partly funding. He added that some progress has been achieved in one of the most significant CSR initiatives by any single entity in the country and that the 40-kilometre road would boost economic activities and ultimately better the lives of the thousands of Nigerians in Rivers State.

NLNG is owned by four Shareholders; namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (49%), Shell Gas B.V.  (25.6%), Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France (15%), and Eni International N.A. N. V. S.àr. l (10.4%).