The member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Fred Obua, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the construction of the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Museum and Research Centre.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator noted that the project is coming 64 years after the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in Ogbia in the present Bayelsa state.

The project was recently launched by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, with the inauguration of key project committees and setting up of delivery timelines.

In a statement issued on Monday, the lawmaker also commended Sylva for driving the project alongside a key institution, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The Bayelsa Government as well as the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and Shell Petroleum and Development Company (SPDC) are participating.

Obua noted that the deliberate timeline for the project, which includes eight months pre-construction activities and 36 months for construction, further underscores the seriousness of the Buhari adminsitration to deliver it in good time.

He said: “So, I commend President Buhari, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and all the key partners, the NCDMB, PTDF, SPDC and the Bayelsa State Government for embarking on this historic project.

“This landmark project, which has been on the drawing board for over three decades, will change the lives of the people of Oloibiri and Ogbia in general.

“It will not only stimulate the economy of the state and Nigeria, it will attract an unprecedented level of development to the area.”

Obua particularly thanked Governor Douye Diri for his support of the project by agreeing to provide the enabling environment for its success and sustenance as well as 10 percent of the project cost.

The lawmaker pointed out that the governor’s commitment is a clear indication of his interest in developing the state which he has placed far and above parochial and partisan consideration.

He maintained that Diri’s strategic partnership with the APC-led Federal Government is also a testament of his disposition to more collaboration and the fact that he places Bayelsa’s development first and not any political party, sectional or petty leanings.

He expressed delight about the prospects of the historic project adding that it will promote tourism in the state and country, create job opportunities for the people, attract foreign investments and preserve the heritage and developments in the oil and gas sector.

He explained that the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Museum and Research Centre will equally give the people a sense of fulfilment having yearned for it for over three decades and considering the general level of development that will envelop the area, especially communities within that axis.

“As the lawmaker representing the Federal Constituency, I am delighted about the seriousness that has been attached this time around to the project to ensure timely completion.

“The people deserve this project as the Oloibiri oil well was the first oil well that gave Nigeria her first huge petro-dollar earnings from crude which till date remains the mainstay of our economy,” Obua said.

He however appealed to the President to also approve the construction of a dual carriageway from Yenagoa that will pass through Oloibiri and link the Ogbia/Nembe road.

He noted that the road leading to the proposed site of the museum is currently in a deplorable state and as such not befitting.

Obua equally solicited for the provision of potable water, electricity and other forms of empowerment for people of the host communities, insisting that such interventions will help to facilitate the development of the area as envisioned by the people.

He also urged the NCDMB to extend its electricity supply arrangement with the Nigrian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to Oloibiri and other communities to end the darkness that has continued to pervade the area.

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