The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has described the recent acquisition of the Saipem fabrication yard by Marconi NG EPC as a major boost to Nigeria’s local content development in the oil and gas sector.
The acquisition, completed in May 2025 by a consortium of Nigerian investors, has seen the facility formerly operated by Saipem now fully taken over and run as Marconi NG EPC.
Speaking on Thursday in Port Harcourt during a media tour of oil and gas facilities operated by indigenous companies, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of NCDMB, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, said the development represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the Nigerian Content policy.
Ezeobi, who addressed journalists at Marconi’s one million square metre fabrication yard, said the acquisition has positioned the company to execute projects across all segments of the oil and gas industry.
He explained that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, which established the NCDMB, mandates the reservation of contracts in land and swamp oilfields exclusively for Nigerian companies.
“The acquisition of the Saipem yard by Nigerian investors indicates that our efforts to deepen Nigerian participation across the oil and gas value chain are yielding positive results,” Ezeobi said.
“With world class facilities now operated by Nigerians, Marconi is well positioned to bid for and execute projects across land, swamp and deep offshore oilfields.”
While conducting journalists around the facility, the Nigerian Content Manager of Marconi, Dr David Editan, said the new owners retained the services of experienced Nigerian professionals who had operated the yard for over 15 years prior to the acquisition.
He explained that the facility has the capacity to fabricate, store and evacuate oil and gas structures, supported by three jetties and a helipad.
Speaking after the tour, the Managing Director of Marconi NG EPC, Mr Gian Fabio Del Cioppo, described the Marconi Yard as the largest of its kind in West Africa.
According to him, the facility spans over one million square metres and is fully secured, strategically located, and equipped for large scale project execution within Nigeria’s energy sector.
“It is one of the few yards in the country with the assets and organisational structure required to execute complex engineering, procurement and construction projects,” Del Cioppo said.
He noted that the yard includes a 330 metre jetty and has the capacity to fabricate more than 25,000 tonnes of heavy structures for major EPC projects, both onshore and offshore.
Del Cioppo added that Marconi has adopted a one stop hub operational model aimed at improving cost efficiency, streamlining project interfaces and enhancing competitiveness with international alternatives.