All roadblocks to construction of the world-class Oil and Gas Museum and a Research Testing Centre have now been cleared to enable construction giant, Julius Berger, to proceed to site.

According to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Boars (NCDMB), the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMPRC) project located in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has now been handed over to the renowned construction company.

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The project promoters include Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Petroleum Development Company (now Renaissance Africa Energy Limited), and Bayelsa State Government.

General Manager in charge of Corporate Communication at the NCDMB, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, stated in a release that the event marked the completion of formalities and alignment of all key stakeholders, thus ensuring that the project would proceed without hitches at the exact location where oil production began in Nigeria in 1957.

Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the multibillion-naira project, which consists of a world-class Oil and Gas Museum Centre and a Research Testing Centre, was in fulfillment of the expressed desire of the project promoters to place Otuabagi community, the location of Oloibiri Oil Well 1, on the world industry map.

He noted that the tradition worldwide has been to immortalize the beginnings of the oil and gas industry by citing projects of significant socio-economic worth in communities where exploitation and production of petroleum began.

Ogbe, who cited Pennsylvania, United States, reputed to be the birthplace of America’s oil industry, and a number of other cities across the world, he said, “You see museums, research centres, tourist attractions,” among other things, as distinctive features that give deserved prominence and material benefits to such communities.

He said that “history is in the making” as Julius Berger moves to the 55.05-hectare project site to commence construction, assuring them that a project management team has been constituted to ensure that timelines and other expectations were strictly adhered to by the construction giant.

He disclosed that a governance structure has already been drawn up for the Museum Centre for purposes of efficient and effective management, and that the community would be given a sense of belonging at all times.

He charged youths of the community to prepare to take advantage of training programmes to be provided in diverse skill sets to be able to secure employment in the facility.

He commended the Otuabagi community, particularly its Stakeholder Committee led by Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, Professor Teddy Adias, for the remarkable maturity and comportment exhibited during earlier disputes relating to the project location.   

Speaking, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Bayelsa State, Hon. Peter Akpe, who represented the Bayelsa State Government, said the handover ceremony signaled the transition from drawing board to action and that a project that had been so long in the pipeline is finally coming to fruition.

He commended the NCDMB, and other promoters as well as the community’s Stakeholder Committee for their commitment thus far.   

A representative of Julius Berger, Mr. Rimon Marisho, Deputy Regional Manager, South and East, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB, Bayelsa State Government and the Otuabagi community for all they have done to bring the plans for the project to execution phase. He described the handover ceremony as “a perfect beginning,” while assuring all, “we are here for development.”

Goodwill messages were given by the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, and the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, who pledged maximum support for the project and also assured of a safe environment for the construction work.

In a welcome address, the Chairman of the community’s Stakeholder Committee, Professor Adias, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB, PTDF, Shell and Bayelsa State Government for their efforts in actualizing the project, which has been on the drawing since 1981, during the administration of the then President Shehu Shagari.

He said the handover of the project site to Julius Berger was a momentous event in the history of the Otuabagi community, which has long yearned for due recognition and development projects as the birthplace of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.