By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Thursday signed the engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Julius Berger PLC for the development of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC), to be located in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, signed the contract at the Board’s liaison office in Abuja. The project is set to be completed within 30 months.
The OMRC is being financed by the Petroleum Development Technology Fund (PTDF), NCDMB, Shell Petroleum Development Company/Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, and the Bayelsa State Government, in the ratios of 40%, 30%, 20%, and 10% respectively.
The project is registered by guarantee, with the four organisations serving as partners. The contract agreement has been approved by the partners and signed by Julius Berger PLC.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, as chairman of the registered company, signed the contract on behalf of the partners. The Director of Legal Services at NCDMB, Naboth Onyesoh, Esq., serves as the Secretary of the company.
In February 2023, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the contract for the engineering, procurement, and construction scope of the OMRC to Julius Berger for the sum of ₦117 billion.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the OMRC was held in February 2023. It was a colourful event attended by prominent government officials, oil and gas stakeholders, and members of the local community.
Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe expressed his satisfaction with the contract’s execution, marking the beginning of construction activities. He highlighted that the project would bring significant economic benefits to Bayelsa State and the nation during both the construction and operational phases.
He extended his gratitude to the project partners and stakeholders who have contributed to the project’s progress thus far.
The project was conceived to honour Oloibiri as the birthplace of Nigeria’s commercial hydrocarbon production, which began in 1958.
Engr. Ogbe further noted that President Bola Tinubu regarded the project as long overdue, prompting multi-level collaboration between the government and private sector to bring it to fruition.
The OMRC will include a world-class oil and gas museum, showcasing the history of crude oil production in Nigeria. It will feature geological formations, early equipment, tools, and platforms used in the development of oil and gas activities.
Additionally, the research and testing centre will provide facilities for field trials of prototypes related to indigenous oil and gas research. It will offer university students in related disciplines access to advanced research opportunities, fostering a better understanding of indigenous oil and gas technological advancements.
The OMRC is also expected to drive the commercialisation of research by creating an ecosystem conducive to developing home-grown oil and gas technologies. It will generate a new value chain from museum and research operations, creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
