Petroleum Minister, Lokpobiri, applauds Caverton’s state-of-the-art facility

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has described Caverton Helicopters Company as a pacesetter and leader in the Nigerian aviation sector worthy of emulation.

Lokpobiri stated this during a facility tour of the company’s state-of-the-art aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and training centre located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, lkeja, Lagos on Wednesday April 2, 2025.

According to him, the  investment and facility on ground, which are at par with the developed world, have not only distinguished Caverton, the management’s commitment has sent another message acknowledging the untiring effort of Caverton to make Nigeria proud as an indigenous aviation company majoring in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) as well as training hub.

The minister said his visit was to see things for himself having heard a lot about the training hub, which has become a destination of choice for training pilots beyond the shore of Nigeria, a testament that with the company’s vision and commitment the black race can also make things happen positively in the aviation sector.

“I have seen training centers abroad. I can attest to it that Caverton stands out. Caverton is a pacesetter. I am very happy to be here today. Let me formally congratulate you. I am also happy to hear that you have pilots who you trained and are gainfully employed abroad.

“I want to assure you that whatever is needed to be done will be done in order to make our partnership a success.

“I also commend you for your records, so far, of zero casualty,” the minister said.

Earlier on arrival, the minister was taken through a safety briefing by Caverton Helicopters Managing Director, Captain Ibrahim Bello, before then passing the floor to the Chairman of the Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, for his welcome remark.

In his welcome address, Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, thanked the Honourable Minister for the honour to visit the training hub to see for himself the great things that is happening in the Nigerian aviation sector through Caverton.

Speaking further, Makanjuola said. “Everything is processed from training to maintenanable (maintenance). We are proudly Nigerian company which exploits have continued to attract all and sundry. We are constantly evolving and expanding with cutting edge technology.

“We look forward to engaging with you and discussing how we can collectively contribute to the growth and success of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”

In his address, Chief Executive Officer, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola, said he feels honoured to host the minister and to showcase the company”s facilities, operations, and the vital role it plays in Nigeria’s aviation and oil and gas sectors.

“As a subsidiary of the Caverton Offshore Support Group, Caverton Helicopters has established itself as a leading indigenous operator in Nigeria’s aviation industry. Our commitment to excellence, safety, and reliability has allowed us to record a historical market share exceeding 70%, making us a key player in providing logistics support for the oil and gas sector. We are proud to serve esteemed partners, including Shell, Chevron, Total, NAOC, and NNPC, and we look forward to continuing this legacy of collaboration.”

Speaking further, Makanjuola said the vision of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to elevate Nigeria’s oil production to 2 million barrels per day is an ambitious and commendable goal. At Caverton, we recognize that achieving this target requires seamless and efficient logistics solutions, particularly in offshore helicopter logistics. Our strategic investments in our first ever Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, hangars, and training center position us to support this vision effectively.

“As we strive to enhance our capacity and capabilities, we are eager to partner with the Ministry of Petroleum and agencies such as the NCDMB. Together, we can create a robust framework that not only meets the growing demands of the oil and gas sector but also consolidates our position as a premier service provider in the region championing local content participation and development.

“In the coming months, we will be embarking on a strategic investment drive aimed at attracting new investors and further enhancing our operational capacities. This initiative is crucial not only for our growth but also for the overall development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“We believe that by working hand in hand with the government and industry stakeholders, we can navigate the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities that lie before us. Your presence here today signifies a shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy sector, and we are excited about the prospects of collaboration,” he stated.

Other top industry personalities who joined the to receive the minister on Wednesday included Chairman, Caverton Helicopters, Mallam Bello Gwandu, Non-Executive Director, Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG), Chief Operating Officer, COSG, Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola, Managing Director/Accountable Manager, Caverton Helicopters, Captain Ibrahim Bello, Director, Corporate Services, Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Ayo Omueti amongst others.