…As Azi Marine lament on lack of patronage by IOCs operating in A’Ibom
By Saviour Ekpe
The Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Branch has called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to make strategic investments in commercial diving training and indigenous marine capacity development, saying such a move would position the state to fully harness the vast economic opportunities available in the offshore oil and gas industry and the emerging blue economy.
The association made the call after a courtesy visit and inspection tour of the facilities of Azi Marine and General Services Limited in Ibeno Local Government Area, where members of the association toured the company’s marine engineering, fabrication and commercial diving support facilities and held discussions with its management on the future of indigenous participation in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Speaking during the visit, the Managing Director of Azi Marine and General Services Limited, Engr. Michael Abakam, lamented that Akwa Ibom, despite hosting some of Nigeria’s busiest offshore oil and gas operations has not adequately benefited from the enormous economic opportunities within the sector because of limited investment in indigenous manpower development and inadequate support for local marine service companies.
According to him, deliberate investment in specialised marine skills, particularly commercial diving, would not only create employment opportunities for youths but also strengthen the state’s capacity to compete in the highly technical offshore industry, “Akwa Ibom is naturally endowed with vast offshore resources, but resources alone do not create prosperity. It is the people with the right skills and the indigenous companies with the right capacity that transform resources into economic wealth. Government must deliberately invest in developing these capacities,” Abakam said.
He explained that Azi Marine has developed the competence to execute marine engineering, fabrication and commercial diving operations in line with international standards, noting that its collaborations with foreign firms are primarily for technology transfer and continuous professional development rather than dependence. The marine expert disclosed that the company has trained over 1,000 youths in commercial diving, underwater operations, welding, fabrication and other technical disciplines required in the offshore oil and gas industry.
Abakam described commercial diving as one of the most lucrative professions in the offshore sector but noted that the cost of training remains a major barrier for many young Nigerians, “training one commercial diver today costs between ₦15 million and ₦20 million. That is beyond the reach of the average family. This is why government intervention is critical. If Akwa Ibom State could invest in aviation training that has produced pilots and aviation professionals, it can also establish a structured commercial diving programme to produce world-class divers for the oil and gas industry,” he stated.
He maintained that with a significant concentration of offshore exploration and production activities taking place within Akwa Ibom’s territorial waters, the state has every justification to become Nigeria’s foremost centre for commercial diving and offshore manpower development.
Abakam further called for stronger implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, arguing that local content policies should go beyond national participation to ensure that competent indigenous companies operating within host states are given meaningful opportunities, “there are indigenous marine companies in Akwa Ibom that possess modern equipment, highly trained personnel and the technical competence to execute complex offshore projects. Unfortunately, many are overlooked despite meeting international standards. Genuine local content should empower qualified companies within the producing states,” he said.
He also appealed to government to involve industry practitioners in policy formulation, stressing that effective policies require continuous engagement between regulators, operators and host communities. The managing director disclosed that the company is working towards establishing a modern offshore and onshore marine base in Ibeno, a project he said would position Akwa Ibom as a major maritime logistics hub for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea while creating substantial employment opportunities for local communities.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Branch, Mr. Harrison Ndifreke said the inspection formed part of the association’s commitment to promoting collaboration between the media and critical stakeholders in the maritime, energy and blue economy sectors.
He commended Azi Marine and General Services Limited for demonstrating that indigenous companies can compete favourably with international firms through sustained investment in technology, manpower development and modern marine infrastructure, “what we have seen here confirms that indigenous companies have the competence and capacity to drive Nigeria’s marine and offshore industry if given the necessary support. It is important that governments, regulators and international oil companies deliberately encourage local participation because that is the surest path to sustainable economic development and employment creation,” Ndifreke said.
The EMR Chairman reaffirmed the association’s commitment to responsible and developmental journalism that promotes investment, local content implementation and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors.
He said the association would continue to spotlight policies and initiatives capable of unlocking the enormous economic potential of Akwa Ibom’s coastal resources while encouraging stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, investors and indigenous operators.
The association therefore called on the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), international oil companies and other relevant stakeholders to jointly establish a Commercial Diving and Marine Skills Development Programme in the state.
According to EMR, such an initiative would equip young people with globally recognised offshore skills, reduce unemployment, deepen indigenous participation in the maritime industry and position Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s leading centre for marine engineering, commercial diving and offshore manpower development.
The association maintained that with sustained investment in local capacity, effective implementation of local content policies and stronger collaboration between government and industry, Akwa Ibom possesses the potential to emerge as one of West Africa’s foremost maritime and offshore service hubs.