Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has on
Tuesday inaugurated two committees and five project teams for the
Oloibiri Museum and Research centre which will be situated in Oloibiri,
Bayelsa state.
The virtual ceremony was
anchored by Engr Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian
Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) who is to head the
project committees and chaired by Timipre Sylva who sponsors the
historic project.
Sylva, in his speech, said
‘I am very happy to be part of this historic occasion set aside to
inaugurate the project committees that will oversee the establishment of
the oil and gas Museum and Research centre in Oloibiri, Bayelsa state’
‘This
occasion corrects a historical oversight with the decision to build a
befitting monument in Oloibiri oilfield where the first field to produce
oil in commercial quantities in Nigeria was discovered in 1956’
‘The need to do this has been on the drawing board for over thirty years with no resolute commitment to bring it to reality’
‘This
change has been made possible by our dear President and
Commander-in-chief, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR with
his unwavering resolve to leave lasting legacies in key sectors of the
Nigerian economy.
‘The oil and Gas community,
the people of the Niger Delta, and indeed the entire country remains
eternally grateful to Mr President for this historic approval’
The
many benefits of the project include the retention of historical
artefacts of our oil and gas journey over the decades, dissemination of
knowledge to all and sundry, creation of an attractive destination for
tourists, restoration of the image of Oloibiri community and creation of
employment opportunities amongst others.
On funding partnership, PTDF is to be responsible for 40%, NCDMB 30%, Shell 20% and the Bayelsa state government 10%.
Key
members of the steering committee include Engr Simbi Wabote (ES NCDMB)
Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau (ES PTDF) Igo Weli/Gloria Udoh (SPDC) Abdulmalik
Halilu as Secretary and Hon Peter Akpe for the Bayelsa state
government.
In his remarks, His Excellency
Senator Douye Diri expressed his deep appreciation to President
Muhammadu Buhari and His Excellency Timipre Sylva. Governor Diri hailed
the project as one that would preserve the history of Petroleum
exploration. He also described the choice of Oloibiri as ‘apt and
commendable’
His Excellency Timipre Sylva charged all members of the various committees to perform their roles with absolute professionalism, patriotism and integrity.
JULIUS BOKORUSpecial Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to HE Timipre Sylva, Minister Of State For Petroleum Resources.
4 August 2020.