The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday said construction for a 2,000 barrels per day (bpd) modular refinery in Brass Bayelsa is underway.

The modular refinery is the fourth supported by the NCDMB under the Federal Government’s plan to use modular refineries to drive the development of the Niger Delta region.

The NCDMB had injected equity capital funds in three other modular refineries with the the Waltersmith 5,000 bpd modular refinery at Ibigwe, Imo already in operation.

Others are the 12,000 bpd Hydroskimming modular refinery being constructed by Azikel Petroleum Limited at Obunagha, Gbarain, Bayelsa and the 2,500 bpd modular refinery being developed by Duport Midstream Company as part of its Energy Park in Egbokor, Edo.

According to a statement issued by Mr Naboth Onyesoh, Manager Corporate Communications at NCDMB the project includes a power plant and logistics jetty to provide support for oil and gas operations.

According to Onyesoh, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of an Energy Infrastructure Park on Saturday at Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The infrastructure is being developed by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited in partnership with the NCDMB.

The statement also revealed that the Minister also commissioned three corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects executed by the Atlantic International Refinery for the people of the Okpoama Kingdom.

The projects included the Okpoama Cottage Hospital, Iseleama Health Centre and Okpoama Community Water Works.

The statement quoted Sylva as saying at the event that one of the best strategies to curb restiveness in the Niger Delta region is to create jobs and opportunities for youths.

The Minister also said that part of his mandate is to collaborate with players in the private sector to establish oil and gas facilities, including modular refineries.

These, according to Sylva would ensure value addition to the crude oil, growing domestic refining capacity to improve products availability, create jobs in-country and curb pipeline vandalism.

He urged the people of Okpoama Kingdom and other parts of the Niger Delta to create an investment friendly environment that would attract other oil and gas and manufacturing facilities to the region.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, in his remarks, listed the various elements of the Energy Park project to include a 2,000 barrels per day modular refinery, power plant, and jetty.

He added that the project will serve as catalysts for infrastructural development and spur of economic activities in Bayelsa.

He explained that the Board decided to partner with Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd to develop the Energy Park in line with its mandate of catalyzing oil and gas activities.

He confirmed that the Atlantic modular refinery is the fourth in the series of the Board’s partnerships to contribute to the implementation of the Modular Refinery aspect of the Federal Government’s Refining Roadmap.

“With the recent commissioning of the Waltersmith Refinery, we have proven that the concept is doable with the right dedication and partnership models.

“Our focus now is to ensure the completion of the remaining three modular refineries under construction”. The Executive Secretary said.

On the location of the Atlantic Modular refinery, Wabote noted that the maritime terrain was challenging.

He said: “We believe that with the capability of our partner, and especially the support of our stakeholders in the Community, the State, and the nation at large, we will come back next year to commission the project.”

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