Minister, NCDMB, Others Laud Tamrose for Growth in Operational Capacity, Financial Fidelity

Peter Uzoho

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has renewed the federal government’s commitment to unlocking wider financial and institutional support for indigenous oil and gas service companies, citing the success of Tamrose Limited and the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) as a strong demonstration of what structured, accessible support can achieve.

Speaking last Thursday at a landmark stakeholder event held at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Headquarters in Yenagoa, tagged, “Celebrating Growth and Impact”, the minister commended Tamrose, an indigenous oil service company, for its financial discipline and operational growth following the full repayment of its $10 million NCI Fund facility.

Lokpobiri noted that the company’s progress underscores the importance of expanding support mechanisms to enable more Nigerian-owned companies to scale capacity and deepen their participation in the country’s offshore and marine logistics sector.

The minister said, “Over 70 companies have accessed the NCI Fund, yet only 21 have fully repaid their loans — and Tamrose is one of them. Their achievement reflects the very purpose for which the Fund was created: to strengthen local capacity and empower Nigerian service companies to compete at home and across Africa.

“Through this support, Tamrose has not only grown its operations but expanded beyond Nigeria’s shores, increasing its fleet from four vessels to fifteen, creating jobs for Nigerians, and setting a clear benchmark for operational excellence.

“As Minister and Chairman of NCDMB, our commitment is to continue fostering this kind of growth by ensuring that indigenous companies receive the support they need to scale, thrive, and deepen their contribution to the nation’s oil and gas sector.’’

Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, FelixOgbe, who was represented by the board’s General Manager, Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, described Tamrose as an example of the outcomes envisioned when indigenous firms apply discipline, capability, and innovation in their operations.

“Today is not just a celebration of one company; it is a reaffirmation of what is achievable through the Nigerian Content framework. Tamrose has shown strong leadership, financial fidelity, and accountability.

“Their growth—from a small operator to a major marine logistics service provider—is proof that the NCI Fund is working. This is why we will continue to support more credible Nigerian companies to access this fund and expand their capacity”, Ogbe stated

In his welcome address, Executive Chairman of Tamrose Limited, Mr. Ambrose Ovbiebo, expressed appreciation to the petroleum ministry, NCDMB, and the Bank of Industry (BOI) for their support.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to strengthening indigenous capacity in offshore marine logistics.

He Ovbiebo said, ‘’We are gathered here today using Tamrose as a point of contact, a convergence and amplification of the voices of all Nigerian entrepreneurs in the oil and gas sector and beyond. We are here to say loudly that Nigeria can work, and that indigenous Nigerian companies can scale and dominate Africa and indeed the world — with the right government and institutional support.

“In 2019, Tamrose accessed and secured a US $10 million facility through the NCI Fund. That singular support from NCDMB turned out to become not just pivotal, but a foundational catalyst that has propelled and continues to accelerate our growth and evolution as a company.

“Since then, our operations have grown from four vessels to fifteen active units, comprising ten security patrol vessels and five platform supply vessels — all purpose-built and carefully selected, to safely deliver our hallmark excellent services of reliability and efficiency. ‘’

The event themed “Celebration of Growth and Impact” hosted by Tamrose in collaboration NCDMB, brought together senior government officials, leaders of international and indigenous oil companies, financial institutions, traditional rulers, and other strategic partners.

Other high profile stakeholders present at the occasion included the Managing Director of BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi; Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola;
former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State; Real Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd); and representatives of Keystone Bank, ExxonMobil, First E&P, and Oriental Energy.

Over the years, Tamrose Limited has consistently demonstrated its commitment to indigenous capacity development, human capital growth, and community empowerment through a range of initiatives.

Since accessing the NCI Fund in 2019, the company has expanded its fleet from four to fifteen vessels — achieving about 300 per cent fleet growth and extending operations from Nigeria to Angola while proudly flying the Nigerian flag everywhere they go.

Tamrose has created nearly 250 direct jobs, supported over 600 indirect family livelihoods across the maritime ecosystem, and trained more than 100 cadets under the Tamrose Cadetship Training Scheme to international seafaring standards.

The company has also enhanced healthcare accessibility for its workforce, enrolling over 1,500 employees in HMOs, and significantly accelerated NCDMB’s goal of achieving 70 per cent local content by 2027.

Beyond business growth, these initiatives underscore Tamrose’s ongoing commitment to building a strong, skilled, and sustainable Nigerian maritime sector.