Pipes
By Deborah Coker
Benin, April 25, 2018 (NAN) A US-based construction company, US Design Standard with European Management Method (UDECM) Inc., says it will partner an indigenous company, in the construction of a $150 million (about (N54 billion) pipe plant in Benin, the Edo capital.
Mr Emmanuel Dike, the company’s Project Development Officer for the Africa Region, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Godwin Obaseki.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those on the entourage were senior management members of UDECM, and its Nigerian partner, Atlanque Marine Engineering Services pipe mill and coating plant Ltd (AMES), based in Benin.
Dike said that the project, when fully operational, would employ between 750 and 1000 direct staff, and also provide skills acquisition services to deserving Nigerian youths.
He noted that UDECM was not just concerned about saving the planet and improving the environment, but was also concerned about human capital development.
Dike disclosed that work would commence in the next two weeks, while production would commence six to eight months thereafter, having secured all necessary approvals.
He gave assurance that the project would be delivered on schedule, adding that UDECM was noted for prompt delivery of projects as it explores both American and European styles in project execution.
Dike further revealed that though the Group had been executing projects in other parts of the world, the partnership with AMES pipes mill was the first for any African country.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMES, Dr Charles Akhigbe, told the governor that the involvement of his company was to domesticate the production of line pipes in Nigeria.
He said the team had undertaken a facility tour of the project, noting that the Federal Government had already accessed the project at the last economic recovery growth plan laboratory held in Abuja.
Akhigbe confirmed Dike’s statement that the UDECM board had given its final investment decision to fund the project.
He said that the ground-breaking ceremony would hold in two months, adding that both partners would want the project delivered within a year. (NAN)
DCO/KOO/PIO
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Idonije Obakhedo)