By Oge Obi
The nation’s local content law implementation recorded another breakthrough recently as one of the world’s leading diversified engineering firms – ParkerStore was launched in Nigeria during the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair.
Leveraging the provisions of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which seeks to accelerate local capacity development and boost employment in the country, the local partner, Offshore Dimension Limited had facilitated the business relationship and the eventual establishment of the global leader in motion control technology on Nigerian soil.
Speaking at the event which also marked the 100 years celebration of the parent company – Parker Hannifin, the Managing Director, Offshore Dimension Parkerstore, Engr. Suen Faluyi said that the partners are excited that the longtime vision of Parker Hannifin expanding its business to Nigeria has become a reality. The MD noted that Parker Hannifin took cognizance of the Nigerian content Act and would remain committed to its implementation.
“In consonance with the NOGICD Act, Parker Hannifin is here in Nigeria to partner with a local company. And as part of the worldwide ParkerStore network and ParkerStore retail businesses, the Nigerian ParkerStore will be providing knowledgeable support, professional services and innovative products and solutions for maintenance, repairs and overhaul technicians and original equipment manufacturers in a variety of markets.”
According to Faluyi, the arrival of ParkerStore in Nigeria means that a lot of things can now be done in-country that ordinarily, people would have been going abroad to do. He noted that all the tubes, hose and fittings for engineering projects like Dangote refinery and all of its kind in oil and gas, power, agriculture, aviation, among others can now be done in Nigeria by the Parkerstore.
According to the MD, “The beautiful thing is that ParkerStore is giving us technology and we are using Nigerians to produce them. We are promoting the development of Nigeria, the industrial growth of the nation and we are promoting the involvement of young entrepreneurs in Nigeria so that they too can grow and expand.”
Enumerating some of the benefits of the presence of Parkerstore in Nigeria, Faluyi said that it would offer more exposure to Nigerian engineers. And that aided by Nigerian content law which demands international companies to partner with indigenous companies to increase local capacity development, employment, and opportunities, it would create more opportunities for Nigerian engineers among other skilled workers.
Speaking further, he noted, “ParkerStore is increasing the level of skills and capabilities and they have been unflinching in their support. They contract engineers and different skilled people from the local people. That is how we grow the business.
So, we apply local content in every country we operate. In Offshore Dimension, we are already giving contracts to many Nigerians. And the whole idea is to grow the business locally, giving Nigerians businesses the right to develop and grow, Faluyi said.
In her remarks, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Nike Akande, commended Offshore Dimension Limited for the giant strides it is making towards improving the nation’s economy. Welcoming the Offshore Dimension ParkerStore to the country, the LCCI President said that the government is committed to creating a more conducive business environment for both foreign and indigenous investors.
Also welcoming the ParkerStore to the 30th Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) with a theme “Promoting Industrialisation for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth “, Akande said that LCCI had set the platform for fruitful deliberations on the drive for industrialisation towards economic recovery, sustainable growth, and development.
According to her, “the 2017 LITF is specially packaged to meet the aspirations and interests of government agencies, domestic investors, and bilateral trade agencies. This trade fair platform offers great brand exposure for your revolutionary company now and hereafter across Nigeria and the sub-Saharan African region”, Akande said.
Speaking also, the Business Development Manager, Africa of Parker Hannifin, Ignacio Garcia reiterated the company’s commitment to partnering with local companies for the benefit of both parties, the host economy, and the people. “Basically, we are manufacturers of spare parts. We localise with some partners like Offshore Dimension; they add value to our growth and they generate richness in the country and for the people.”
The Business Development Manager, Africa noted that Parker Hannifin in its typical way, contracts engineers and other skilled people that are often sourced from the local people. According to him, “That is the way we grow our business. We partner companies like General Electric, Total, Chevron, Mobil, and use the local content in every country we are working with.
“The idea is to grow the business locally, to give Nigerians all the control about the growth itself. So, from there, they grow the business, they benefit from it”, Garcia said.
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