Consul General Lagos

Remarks - Delta-Afrik Engineering Ltd. Company Launch

February 17, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is good to be here with you this evening for the formal public introduction of Delta-Afrik Engineering Limited, a joint venture between DeltaTek Engineering Nigeria and WorleyParson Company of USA. This special occasion brings a special satisfaction to me. You see, a key aspect of our entire American diplomatic mission in Nigeria is to promote commerce and business between our two nations.

Our Commercial Section does this by helping US firms find and nurture strategic alliances, partnerships, and joint ventures in the emerging market that is Nigeria. Nigeria is a key and increasingly salient economic partner of the United States. Such commercial alliances as the one we celebrate tonight only serve to deepen our already multi-faceted , mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

And this young partnership, Delta-Afrik, is already quickly establishing a record of success in Nigeria. Within two short years, Delta-Afrik has expanded from an initial 66 employees, to 200 employees now. All but eight are Nigerian.

Now, as a duly appointed representative of the United States Government, I would be remiss if I failed to commend the American arm of this joint venture. Across the globe, WorleyParson has been a leading provider of professional services to the energy, resource and complex process industries. Worley operates in over 25 countries, and has a record of outstanding project delivery for clients around the world. Let me say to WorleyParson, "Thank you for coming to Nigeria and making it a home for your operations."

We believe US private investment can help spur Nigeria's development, accelerate Nigeria's integration in the global economy and, more importantly, help create jobs and wealth for the betterment of the average Nigerian man and woman. We are glad you are here. You are truly welcome to Nigeria.

Because I am in Nigeria and care about the business climate of this country, it would be negligent of me not to bestow a few good tidings on DeltaTek. This company has a respected record of performance and professionalism. DeltaTek should be proud that this day has come.

Consequently, I applaud the DeltaTek and WorleyParson alliance for being a pragmatic demonstration of the concept of national content in the oil and gas sector.

National content is an idea whose time has come. One could stick his head in the sand hoping this idea is a fad that will quickly disperse like some tropical storm. However, the person who takes this view will likely be left out in rain. Business-wise, he ultimately will find himself in a position of disadvantage.

Conversely, one could do damage to the integrity of the very concept by using it to force business endeavors and enterprises that do not mesh with and may still be a few steps beyond Nigeria's on-the-ground realities. To be successful and sustainable, national content alliances must not only meet a fundamental business need, they must provide a proficient answer to that need.

When two companies identify a business need and the one company can wed its competence with that of the other in a way that is complementary and, then we have established a solid foundation for growth and profitability. Then we have established a solid basis for the successful implementation of national content in Nigeria. We should encourage national content through measured, pragmatic approaches, focusing on mechanisms linking established business with established business while also developing strong educational mechanisms to teach skill sets not yet common in Nigeria. In this way, national content will be a fulcrum of growth and bring more Nigerians, more prominently, into one of the world's most globalized industries.

From my humble vantage point, the Delta-Afrik partnership looks like it embodies the best of national content, which is why the Government of Nigeria has selected the firm as a pilot in its national content program. I am particularly pleased the U.S. Mission, through our Commercial Service, played a key supporting role in launching Delta-Afrik; I also want you to know that we stand ready to facilitate other such linkages between America's companies and local partners that can promote Nigeria's development. Our Commercial Service office is located at our Consulate in Lagos, and provides business facilitation and support services to both U.S. and Nigerian companies. I urge you to make use of their services to support your business needs.

As I close, I would like to emphasize that to realize other world-class investments like Delta-Afrik requires a positive investment climate - this means promoting the rule of law, respect for the sanctity of contracts, support for payment of commercial obligations, and an open, transparent trade regime. Achieve and institutionalize these milestones, then foreign investors, including American, will be encouraged to actively participate in the venture that is the growth of the Nigerian economy. In other words, if the positive business opportunity is here, investors will come.

Let us celebrate the partnership that stands before us and also dedicate ourselves to doing what we can in our respective spheres of endeavor to have more nights like this and to see more partnerships like this one emerge in Nigeria.

Once again, join me in congratulating DeltaAfrik on its official inauguration and on the unveiling of its corporate presence in Nigeria.

 

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