By Mohammed Danlami
Stakeholders in the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre, OMPRC project were excited last week as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB formally handed over construction work on the long-awaited Centre in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to ace engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.
The development which signalled the completion of all preparatory formalities and the alignment of key stakeholders, paved the way for unhindered commencement of construction work at the historic site where oil production began in Nigeria in 1957.
At the ceremony, which marked a major milestone in the execution of the landmark project, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB and Project Lead, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe described the multi-billion-naira initiative, which comprises a world-class Oil and Gas Museum and a Research Testing Centre as a fulfilment of the promoters’ vision to place the Otuabagi community, home to Oloibiri Oil Well 1, on the global map.
He noted that, it is an international tradition to immortalize the origins of oil and gas industries by establishing socioeconomically significant projects in such locations, while stressing that Nigeria should not be an exception even as he highlighted global examples such as Pennsylvania in the United States, which is renowned for its oil heritage sites including museums research centres, and tourist attractions.
Engr. Ogbe, who was represented at the event by the NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, told the community, history is in the making and that a dedicated project management team had been constituted to ensure compliance with timelines and quality standards. He also revealed that a comprehensive governance structure has been established for the museum centre to ensure efficient management, with provisions to give the community a strong sense of ownership
The Executive Secretary commended the Otuabagi community, particularly its Stakeholder Committee led by the Vice Chancellor of The Federal University, Otuoke, Professor Teddy Adias, for the maturity and cooperation demonstrated in resolving earlier disputes regarding the project location.
Saying that the handover ceremony marked a transition from planning to execution, representative of Bayelsa state Governor and Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, thanked other project promoters and the community’s Stakeholder Committee for their unwavering commitment to the project.
Following the formal handover of the site to Julius Berger, the company is set to mobilise to the 55.05-hectare site to commence construction.
Speaking on behalf of Julius Berger, Deputy Regional Manager (South and East), Mr. Rimon Marisho, expressed the company’s appreciation to the NCDMB, the Bayelsa State government, and the Otuabagi community for their roles in moving the project to the execution phase, describing the event as a perfect beginning even as he vowed the company’s dedication to the development of the area.
“On behalf of Julius Berger, we want to appreciate all the stakeholders that moved in to make sure that we are now at the execution stage of this historic project. We see it as a perfect beginning; and in the usual Julius Berger commitment to excellence, we will deliver according to specifications,” Marisho said.
In their respective goodwill messages, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, and the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri respectively pledged maximum support and assured stakeholders of a peaceful and secure environment for the project.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Professor Adias, Chairman of the Community Stakeholder Committee, expressed gratitude to the NCDMB, PTDF, Shell (now Renaissance Africa Energy Limited), and the Bayelsa State Government for their sustained efforts to realize a project first conceived in 1981 during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari.
He described the handover to Julius Berger as a momentous occasion in the history of the Otuabagi community, which has long awaited recognition and development as the birthplace of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The project is being jointly promoted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, and the Bayelsa State Government, with a funding contribution ratio of 40:30:20:10, respectively. Key features of the project include a state-of-the-art oil and gas museum showcasing geological formations, early drilling equipment, and technological milestones in Nigeria’s oil and gas journey. The museum will also feature interactive displays and digital engagement tools for professionals, students, tourists and researchers.
