Marconi.NG EPC Limited has strengthened its status as a major player in Nigeria’s oil and gas services sector following its acquisition of Saipem Contracting Nigeria’s Rumuolumeni Yard.

During a facility tour by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and select journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the company said it is now better positioned to support Nigeria’s oil and gas industry with world-class engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capabilities.

Chief Executive Officer of Marconi, Mr. Gian Fabio Del Cioppo, said the yard spans over 1,000,000 square meters and includes a 330-meter jetty, enabling the fabrication of more than 25,000 tons of heavy structures annually.

He described the facility as one of Nigeria’s most advanced fabrication yards, equipped to handle complex capital projects onshore and offshore.
Marconi acquired the assets of Saipem in May 2025, marking a strategic expansion that aligns with Federal Government efforts to attract investment, lower production costs and speed up field development.

He emphasised that Marconi’s equipment, technical capacity and skilled workforce place it in a strong position to deliver high-quality projects at competitive costs and timelines—consistent with Presidential directives on local content and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010.

He urged government and industry players to sustain momentum on local content implementation, warning against any rollback of the progress achieved over the last 15 years.

Nigerian Content Manager of Marconi, Dr. David Editang, highlighted that the company retained local experts who had operated the facility for decades, ensuring continuity and deep expertise.

General Manager of NCDMB’s Corporate Communications Division, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, who led the tour, said Marconi is now capable of operating across the full oil and gas value chain—from land and swamp operations to deep offshore fields.

He added that the visit aligns with Sections 67 and 70(n) of the NOGICD Act, which mandate the Board to promote Nigerian Content through communication, stakeholder engagement and capacity building.

Dr. Ezeobi noted the importance of media practitioners in accurately reporting industry developments and stressed the Board’s commitment to sustained engagement with journalists in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja and other regions.

A broad Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who participated in the recent public hearing on the National Social Security Trust Fund (NSSTF) Bill organised by Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, has expressed deep concern over disturbing developments surrounding the legislative process. The coalition said it has become aware of credible reports that the management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) allegedly hired and sponsored certain CSOs to speak in support of their position at the hearing.

According to the coalition, this alleged sponsorship was a deliberate attempt to weaken and strangulate the statutory role of the Governing Board, while simultaneously empowering the management to operate without adequate oversight. The group lamented that such actions, clearly point to an agenda aimed at giving management the unchecked freedom to mismanage and possibly divert the resources of the Fund, a pattern that has been associated with past leadership of the NSITF.

The coalition further warned against the proposed removal of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from the Governing Board of the NSSTF. They described the move as a dangerous red flag that only reinforces suspicions of an orchestrated plan to compromise transparency and accountability in the management of the Fund.

According to the coalition:

“Taking SEC out of the Governing Board is not only illogical but amounts to an open confirmation of the organization’s plan to mismanage the Fund. SEC plays a critical regulatory role, and removing them at a time when Nigeria is struggling with limited financial resources raises serious concerns about the intentions behind the bill.”

The coalition aligned its concerns with the positions already taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), both of whom have publicly demanded that the bill be stepped down due to the sensitive issues surrounding it.

The coalition warned that if these critical red flags are not properly addressed by the National Assembly, they will be left with no other option but to embark on a massive, peaceful protest to drive home their concerns and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s social security system.

The group emphasized that the future of the Fund, the confidence of Nigerian workers, and the credibility of social protection institutions must not be jeopardized by actions that appear to prioritize personal or organizational interests over national interest.

The Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Governor Nasir Idris has congratulated the Commissioner of Police incharge of Communication, Muhammed Bala Labbo, promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.
Bala Labbo, serving at the Force Headquarters, an indigene of Birnin Kebbi local government, was among the Senior Police Officers recently promoted to their next ranks by the Police Service Commission.
In a congratulatory message, Governor Nasir described the promotion as a challenge to the promising Police Officer in the course of his career in the police force.
He observed that although the promotion was made at a time the country is being confronted by serious security challenges, the Governor expressed confidence in the professional ability and capacity of the new AIG to make impact-ful contribution to the relentless efforts being made by Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in overcoming the unfortunate situation.
He prayed for Allah’s divine guidance and blessings for the AIG in the discharge of the responsibility in view of the sensitive nature position.
While assuring the support of the Government and people of Kebbi state, Governor Nasir requested for the cooperation and support of the AIG in strengthening the state government elaborated measures towards controlling the menace of armed banditry and other criminal activities.
Signed.
Abdullahi Idris Zuru,
Special Adviser,
Communication and Strategy.