Shettima, Sanwo-Olu unveil Julius Berger-built Northwest Petroleum HQ

Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON cutting the tape to commission the Lagos Northwest Petroleum and Gas corporate headquarters last Friday in Lagos. He is being supported by the Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and the CEO of the oil and gas company, Mrs Winifred Akpani.

"The project demonstrated the growing capacity of Nigerian professionals and companies to deliver complex projects to international standards." Engr. Dr Peer Lubasch, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria. 

.... Says "Projects of this complexity present unique challenges, but through close collaboration between the client, consultants, authorities and our project team, we transformed ambitious goals into a facility that meets global standards.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have unveiled the new corporate headquarters of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited in Lagos.

The imposing facility was delivered by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and brought together government officials, business leaders and stakeholders in the oil and gas and construction sectors.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Engr. Dr Peer Lubasch, said the project demonstrated the growing capacity of Nigerian professionals and companies to deliver complex projects to international standards.

Lubasch said the successful completion of the headquarters was achieved through collaboration among Northwest Petroleum, consultants, regulatory authorities and the project team.

He said, “Projects of this complexity present unique challenges, but through close collaboration between the client, consultants, authorities and our project team, we transformed ambitious goals into a facility that meets global standards.”

The Julius Berger boss disclosed that the entire design and engineering work for the project was undertaken in Nigeria by PrimeTech Design & Engineering Nigeria Limited.

He added that the project also recorded a milestone in local manufacturing, with a fully unitised curtain wall system manufactured in Nigeria with Evonig glass and installed by Abumet Nigeria Limited.

According to him, the development underscored the increasing role of local expertise and content in the delivery of sophisticated construction projects.

The headquarters comprises modern office spaces and operational facilities designed to meet the requirements of the growing energy company.

Lubasch said the project also demonstrated Julius Berger’s capacity as an integrated Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractor, having managed the development from concept and design through construction, commissioning and handover.

Unveiling the facility, Shettima described the headquarters as a demonstration of confidence in Nigeria’s future and the capacity of indigenous enterprises to compete in the global economy.

The Vice-President said the concentration of Northwest Petroleum’s leadership, innovation and operations in one facility would support the company’s long-term growth and contribute to investor confidence in the Nigerian energy sector.

He added that projects of such quality had the potential to project Nigeria positively and demonstrate the country’s capacity for excellence.

Sanwo-Olu, on his part, commended the investment, saying modern corporate infrastructure was critical to Lagos State’s economic aspirations and its position as a destination for business and investment.

The Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Petroleum, Mrs Winifred Akpani, expressed appreciation to the stakeholders who contributed to the realisation of the project.

Akpani specifically thanked President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Governor Sanwo-Olu, Vice-President Shettima, Mrs Bella Disu and Julius Berger Group, saying their support helped turn her vision for the project into reality.

An architect with the company, Sule Musa, also commended the facility, particularly its functionality, safety features, fire evacuation systems, finishes and construction materials.

Musa said the building successfully combined structural integrity, operational efficiency and aesthetics while meeting stringent professional requirements.

The new headquarters is expected to provide an improved working environment for Northwest Petroleum’s employees while supporting the company’s expanding operations.