Wabote commissions Tolmann’s modular fire field centre

…says patronage of local coys might attract discount on NCDF

A new modular fire field and emergency response training centre built by Tolmann Allied Services Limited has been commissioned by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote.

Located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the facility can provide practical demonstrations of offshore safety trainings such as Helideck Emergency Response Team Member Training, Offshore Emergency Response Team Leader Training, Major Emergency Management Initial Response, Control Room Operator Training, Confined Space Entry Training, Dynamic Positioning, Helicopter Landing and take-off coordination, and many more.

In his remarks at the event held recently, the Executive Secretary advised oil and gas service companies to continually evolve with the industry and improve their deliverables if they are to remain in business.

He recalled that Tolmann was one of the facilities he visited after assuming office in late 2016, to confirm the existence of local capacities and capabilities and commended the company for increasing its competences and assets base. “Industry operations are continuously moving into the deeper waters and it is either we evolve to become relevant or we disappear. Tolmann is trying to copy the evolution.”

Wabote also highlighted that safety in the oil and gas industry requires the highest possible standards and the company is playing a big role towards the realization of that aspiration.

He said the firm had become a leading international risk management, safety and emergency company through the provision of specialist safety training, support services, and technology. “Of particular importance is your achievement as the first training facility in Africa and Middle-East to secure OPITO Digital BOSIET approval. This unique digital delivery of training with certifications cuts down on time, logistics, and costs and ultimately improves the bottom line.”

The Executive Secretary also charged industry operators to patronize such facilities as part of their commitment to local content practice, capacity development of workers and safety of their operations. He hinted that NCDMB was developing a framework whereby the patronage of local service companies by operating companies and EPC contractors would be rewarded with a discount on the payment of the statutory one percent Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF).

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Tolmann Allied Services Limited, Mr Emmanuel Onyekwena stated that the modular fire field centre was “borne of the desire to meet modern global approach of combatting emergency situations in daily life operations offshore, which requires capability, infrastructure and competence demonstration prior to deployment offshore.”

Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, declared that Tolmann’s feat embodied the mantra of PETAN, which are capacity building, capability, consolidation and consistency. He maintained that member companies of the association are keen to capture the entire oil and gas value chain and deliver services to satisfactory levels.

He pleaded with international and indigenous operating companies to engage oil service companies that have proven their capabilities, adding that developed capacities would be lost if they are not utilised.