Lagos, Nigeria – Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo recently took time out of his busy schedule to visit Katzec Engineering Limited, an abandoned oil and gas equipment fabrications company located in Ilashe land, Snake Island, Lagos. The facility tour was led by Sir Emeka Offor, the Chairman of the company, accompanied by Mr. Mike Simpson, Director, and Mr. Tochukwu Odukwe, Group Director.

During the visit, Governor Soludo witnessed the unfortunate state of the multi-million dollar equipment and machineries that have remained unused for years on the expansive land. Katzec Engineering Limited, established by Sir Emeka Offor in 2010, was intended to play a vital role in the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector through fabrications, pipeline laying, installation, and offshore platform jackets. However, due to government force majeurs, the company ceased operations in 2015 and has since faced neglect.

Reviving the company will require the intervention of both the federal and state governments to salvage the substantial investments already made, as well as the decaying equipment and machinery on the site. Governor Chukwuma Soludo acknowledged the Chairman’s patriotic investment and entrepreneurial zeal in establishing the company, expressing regret over the abandonment and deterioration of the valuable assets that require immediate attention.

Accompanying Governor Soludo on the visit were Hon. Engr Ikenna Ofodeme, Majority Leader of Anambra State House of Assembly; Barr Anthony Ifeanya, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Mr Christian Udechukwu, Commissioner for Industry; Mr Mark Okoye, MD ANSIPPA; Barrister Leo Chiegboka, Lagos Liaison Officer, among others. Notable personalities present included Senator Ibrahim Hadejia from Jigawa State, Hon Chudy Offodile, Chief Okey Nwosu, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, Mr Oliver Alawuba, GMD of UBA, and several others.

The visit shed light on the urgent need for governmental support to revive the company and harness its potential in contributing to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, while salvaging the significant investments and assets that currently lie dormant.