The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has said it will immediately begin preparation of the site for the construction of proposed pipe mill.
A statement signed by the Public Affairs Officer, NCDMB, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Mr. Obinna Ezeobi, on Wednesday, revealed that the NCDMB formally acquired a 10.2 hectres of land in Polaku community, outskirts of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State for the pipe mill project.
According to the statement, the site has a shore line for the construction of a jetty and is close to the Shell Gbaran gas plant and the National Integrated Power Plant being developed by the Federal Government in Gbaran.
The NCDMB said the land acquisition marked the commencement of the project.
Speaking during the cheque presentation for the land to the Ezewaribo Family and transfer of deed to NCDMB at the board’s headquarters in Yenagoa, the Executive Secretary, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, an engineer, was said to have thanked the community for supporting the project.
He noted that the establishment of the pipe mill was one of the mid-term targets set for the industry by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; adding that it would help define the success of the Nigerian Content Act.
Nwapa who was represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. AkintundeAdelana, explained that the project’s construction as well as operations would drive development in the oil and gas industry and provide thousands of training and employment opportunities for members of the community and other Nigerians.
“The pipe mill project will be a major economic activity. It is one of the key industries that has been lacking in the Nigerian oil and gas sector and your community is lucky that it will be established in your vicinity,” he said.
In his response, the leader of the Ezewaribo Family, Chief Martins Aweibo, thanked the board for attracting the pipe mill project to the community and expressed hope that it would help transform the fortunes of the populace.
“We want the project to take off immediately because it will benefit my family, Bayelsa State and Nigeria in general,” he stated.