Follow Us on Google
Bayelsa govt seeks name change
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has declared that the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) has one of the lasting legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari in key sectors of the economy. Sylva who spoke at the at the Ground Breaking of the OMRC, Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board(NCDMB), Conference Hotel Project as well as the commissioning of the NCDMB Creche/ Daycare Centre and Fire Station building, in Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas respectively, said with the OMRC project , Nigeria has aligned itself with global practises where oil producing nations establish an oil and gas museum to confer recognition and preserve the heritage and origin of oil.
Sylva, who recalled that the Oloibiri project has been on the drawing board for three decades without “resolute commitment and action by the previous administration to bring it to reality”, said with the project and several others in the oil industry located in the state, Bayelsans shall cherish President Buhari.that
“Through these projects, Bayelsa State has and the entire Niger Delta region will remain eternally grateful to Mr President. On behalf of the good people of Bayelsa State I would like to thank Mr President for the genuine love he has shown to us and assure him that we will continue to cherish him long after the successful conclusion of his tenure on May 29, 2023,” he said.
While urging the communities to own and participate in the project, he tasked the contractors to comply with the Community Content Guidelines of NCDMB Act.
He also directed the contractors, Julius Berger and Megastar Technical and Construction Company limited to integrate the host communities, their traditional institutions and skilled youths in the various scope of the project.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri commended President Buhari for acceding to one of the demands of the state.
Represented by his deputy- Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, he stated that Niger Delta agitation would not have been necessary if resources were equitably distributed.
According to him, the project signifies a positive development that Nigeria is ready to do the right thing by ensuring equity starting with Bayelsa State.
Diri listed the multiplier effects of the projects which would bring development to the state and pledged the readiness of the state government to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure its completion.
He advocated for a name change to reflect Otuabagi community to avoid the mistake made by Shell Petroleum Development Company.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Kesiye Wabote said the funding model adopted with “clear directive” to partners to remit their agreed contributions into the joint project account with the CBN is to ensure that the ground breaking is not another fluke.
He expressed optimism that the construction would provide business and employment opportunities to the teeming population of youths in the state.
