The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ebenco Global Link, Dr. Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to deploying 100 per cent local content in the development of its modular refinery.

Its said indigenous engineering and technical expertise remain critical to Nigeria’s long-term energy security and industrial growth.

Oluwagbemiga disclosed this in Abuja, at the 25th NOG Energy Week Conference and Exhibition at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, where industry regulators, energy experts and independent downstream investors commended Ebenco Global Link’s modular refinery project as a model for indigenous capacity development.

He said the company’s 30,000 barrels-per-day (BPD) modular refinery in Koko, Delta State, was intentionally designed to rely on Nigerian engineering expertise instead of foreign Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors.

Oluwagbemiga said: “The strategic objective is to build local capacity that outlives the immediate facility setup. Our implementation of indigenous technology guarantees that facility modifications and routine upgrades are managed entirely within our borders, ensuring operational continuity without external disruption.”

He explained that the company, which has operated in marine logistics and environmental services since 2006, is expanding into refining.

He described it as a significant milestone in its long-term strategy, with commercial operations expected to commence before the end of 2026.

Industry stakeholders described the refinery’s phased execution strategy as a benchmark for achieving energy security while reducing dependence on imported technical services.

In his remarks, an independent petroleum infrastructure consultant, Engr. Chidi Amadi, said the project demonstrates that indigenous engineering can successfully deliver large-scale energy infrastructure.

He said: “What Ebenco Global Link has proven is that the capital flight traditionally associated with importing foreign EPC contractors can be significantly reduced. By relying on local engineering expertise, the project lowers commissioning costs while establishing an efficient in-country framework for maintenance and future expansion.”

Amadi noted that the refinery’s reliance on domestic engineering would help shield the project from global supply chain disruptions and foreign exchange volatility.

Beyond refining, stakeholders praised the project’s integrated environmental sustainability initiatives, particularly its 500-tonne Thermal Desorption Unit (TDU), designed to treat hazardous oil sludge and recover commercially valuable hydrocarbons.

Also speaking at the event, the Regional Energy Policy Analyst, Dr. Amina Bello, described the environmental component as a major innovation for both regulatory compliance and host community development.

Bello said: “The deployment of Thermal Desorption Unit technology directly addresses the Niger Delta’s long-standing environmental challenges. Converting hazardous oilfield waste into reusable commercial products supports environmental remediation while creating additional revenue opportunities.”

She added that the refinery’s supporting infrastructure, including its marine logistics fleet, heavy-duty transport barges and industrial oxygen and gas manufacturing plant, positions the company to play a broader role in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum value chain and healthcare sector.

With the Federal Government encouraging increased domestic refining to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, she said integrated indigenous operators such as Ebenco Global Link are well positioned to benefit from the country’s evolving energy landscape.

She noted that the indigenous execution model championed by Oluwagbemiga offers a practical blueprint for accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation and strengthening local participation across the energy sector.