The Nigerian Senate Committee on Upstream Petroleum, led by its Chairman, Senator Etang Williams, on Saturday conducted an on-site inspection at the Kaztec Engineering Facility located in Snake Island, Ilase, Lagos State. This move is part of the Committee's commitment towards investigating the reasons behind the project's shut down with a view to seeking solutions towards reviving the facility in a bid to contribute to the revitalization of the Nigerian economy.

Mr Mike Simpson who is the Technical Director of Kaztec Engineering, during the tour stated that the facility had been operational, employing over 10,000 people both directly and indirectly until a force majeure incident in February 2015 which led to its shutdown. He lamented that jobs have been lost, equipment and material worth billions of dollars had been abandoned leading to business failures.

During the inspection tour, Senator Etang Williams pledged that his Committee would carry out a comprehensive investigation, identify the factors that led to the project's current status, while ensuring that justice is served to all the parties. He also assured that the visit had afforded the Committee first hand knowledge and would lead to effective formulation of policies for the revival of the Company to prevent future occurrence.

He said; "We've seen it all. We're going back to the drawing board and we will call everyone involved.

"We have the assurances of the Senate President because we all want this country to work for everyone"

"We're committed to make things work and we're assuring all stakeholders that justice will be done"

It will be noted that the Senate Committee's efforts align with the vision of the President Tinubu administration towards maximizing the nation's petroleum resources and leveraging them for the overall growth and development of Nigeria. 

The visit comes few weeks after the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his team visited the site with various stakeholders for an on-the-spot assessment. The Governor had called on President Tinubu to look into the concerns as the facility has the potential of changing the face of the Nigerian Oil and Fas Sector.

As the Nigerian Senate Committee on Upstream Petroleum continues its investigation, stakeholders across the Oil and Gas sector eagerly await the outcomes and proposed solutions for the revival of the oil facility. 

Present at the visit were Committee members comprising the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Senator Allwell Iheanacho Onyesoh, Senator Nwaebonyi Onyeka, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Senator Osita Ngwu, as well as representatives from NUPRC and other Regulatory Agencies. 

Kaztec Engineering Limited is a 100% indigenous Engineering, Procurement, Installation, Construction, and Management (EPIC-M) Company. Incorporated in 2005. Kaztec became the pace setter EPIC-M company in Onshore/Offshore Pipelines and Facilities Engineering until Addax Petroleum Limited declared a controversial force majeure that has led to job losses, financial and economic losses, business failures and consequential challenges that have brought the Company to its present status.