Construction of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park in Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State, Nigeria is set to be fully completed in 2022. Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote made the announcement and revealed that the project will be completed by the fourth quarter of next year.
Wabote made the revelation after inspecting the construction work at the project site alongside other senior officers of the board, which is was vested with the mandate to make procedures that will guide, monitor, coordinate, and implement the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
“We did the ground-breaking ceremony in 2018 when we were practically inside water, however, today we are seeing structures coming up. We still have a long way to go because most of the buildings are getting to the finishing stages while some others are just getting started. But all the same, we believe that we will complete this project by Q4, 2022,” said the NCDMB boss.
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Low-cost manufacturing hub
The project is currently at 68% complete 25 megawatts independent power plant (IPP) being constructed in partnership with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to supply electricity to the park and other dedicated facilities are among scope of works under the project.
Upon completion, the facility is projected to create a low-cost manufacturing hub that will produce equipment components and spare parts to be utilized in the nation’s oil and gas industry consequently reversing the current trend whereby the sector depended on importation for most of its finished products. It will also save the much-needed foreign exchange for the West African nation and create jobs for the citizens.
“The park will enhance our capacity and bring about technological innovations since most of those manufacturing will be done here. For the community, the park will create a lot of jobs and there will be a spin-off effect to other economic activities. The benefits are vast,” said Mr Wabote.
The Executive Secretary also confirmed that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was supporting the oil and gas project through a Capacity Development Initiative (CDI). Shell’s commitment to the project included the construction of Effluent Treatment Plant, Fire Station and acquisition of two fire trucks. The company also committed to construct water treatment plant, sewage systems and piping network for water.