BY EDMOND ODOK – It was excitement galore as Stakeholders in the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre (OMPRC) project witnessed the formal handing over of construction work on the long-awaited Centre in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.
According to the stakeholders, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)’s decision to engage a top-notch engineering construction company, such as Julius Berger, is indeed a dream come true for them.
With this development, which signals the completion of all preparatory formalities and the alignment of key stakeholders, the road is now cleared for unhindered commencement of construction work at the historic site where oil production began in Nigeria in 1957.
Speaking at the ceremony, which marked a major milestone in the execution of the landmark project, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB and Project Lead, Engineer Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the multi-billion-Naira initiative as a fulfilment of the promoters’ vision to place the Otuabagi community, home to Oloibiri Oil Well 1, on the global map.
On completion, the project will boast a world-class Oil and Gas Museum and a Research Testing Centre, Engr Ogbe said it is an international tradition to immortalise the origins of the oil and gas industries by establishing socio-economically significant projects in such locations.
For him, Nigeria cannot be an exception, considering global examples such as Pennsylvania in the United States, which is renowned for its oil heritage sites, including museums, research centres, and tourist attractions.
Ogbe, represented at the event by the NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, told the community that history is in the making and that a dedicated project management team had been constituted to ensure compliance with timelines and quality standards.
Additionally, he said 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 was full of praise for the Otuabagi community, particularly its Stakeholders’ 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.
Maintaining that the handover ceremony marked a transition from planning to execution, the representative of the 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.
Deputy Regional Manager (South and East), Mr. Rimon Marisho, who spoke on behalf of Julius Berger, lauded 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, he said the company is fully dedicated to the development of the area, assuring thus, “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”
Speaking earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Community Stakeholders’ Committee, Professor Teddy Adias, appreciated 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.
In their goodwill messages, the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, and the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, both pledged their maximum support, assuring stakeholders of a peaceful and secure environment for the project.
The project is 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 that showcases geological formations, early drilling equipment, and technological milestones in Nigeria’s oil and gas journey.
Also, the museum will feature interactive displays and digital engagement tools for professionals, students, tourists and researchers.
