August 08, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Government has called on the Federal Government to establish a liquified natural gas terminal in the state to optimise economic benefits accruing from the gas sub-sector of the country’s petroleum industry.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call when the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, also stressed the need for the Federal Government to resume and complete work on the abandoned Brass fertiliser company for the general good of the country.
Describing Bayelsa as the headquarters of gas in Nigeria, the Deputy Governor lamented that the state had nothing commensurate to show for its huge natural gas endowment and contribution to the economic development of the nation.
According to Ewhrudjakpo, about 60 percent of the total gas feedstock or supply to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal at Bonny Island was transported from Bayelsa.
He maintained that it would make a lot of economic sense for the Federal Government to establish another gas processing and export terminal in Bayelsa in its next phase of investment in the sub-sector to cut off the cost of transporting the raw material.
Speaking further on the Brass fertiliser plant, the Deputy Governor said the State Government was prepared to partner with all relevant federal authorities to ensure that work on the project takes off.
He equally appealed to the visiting Minister to prevail on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that companies handling fabrication components of contracts carried out such projects in the state to meaningfully engage youths in relevant areas.
His words: “For us here in Bayelsa, we are sitting on oil and gas. We are not only the headquarters of gas, but also a substantial or major producer of oil.
“However, we feel that Bayelsa is not treated fairly enough in the gas sub-sector. You will not believe that 60 or 70 percent of the feedstock at the LNG in Bonny, Rivers State is from Bayelsa here, and yet there is nothing to show for it.
“So, in the second phase of the Federal Government gasification drive, Bayelsa should have one plant. That will be the only way Bayelsa will feel a sense of belonging in the sector she is contributing so much.
“I also want to remind you that we have this Brass fertiliser plant issue that has remained too long in the pipeline. We would really appreciate it if your ministry could look into the Brass fertiliser plant because it is a project that if we get it right, would engage a lot of our youths.
“Since you are here to also supervise the NCDMB, we feel you should also help us pass this message to the Board that some of the contracts they award, some of the companies don’t want to be here to execute their jobs.
“For example, they award a contract to a company to do fabrication but they want to do it outside and not employ our youths. We are appealing that once a project is for Bayelsa, the fabrication and everything should be done in Bayelsa.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State For Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said his team was in Bayelsa to meet with the management of the NCDMB to work out modalities for improvement in the gas sub-sector of the petroleum industry.
He said the current administration takes the issue of developing the gas sub-sector seriously to reduce the cost of transportation in the country.
The Minister commended Governor Douye Diri for identifying with President Bola Tinubu, particularly his timely and mature handling of the #EndBadGovernance protests, thereby sustaining peace in the state.
He said: “I am here in Bayelsa to meet with the NCDMB management team to deliberate and discuss the issue of gas and how we are going to progress in that sector. And of course, gas is the way to go today.
“The progress of Nigeria today depends on gas. With gas in total circulation, there would be a reduction in transportation fares. The economy of this country does well with gas because we have it in abundance. That is why I am here.
“Let me use this opportunity to equally thank you and the Governor of Bayelsa State for what I have heard that you have appointed two members of the APC as commissioners into your state executive council. This is how politics should be played, and I believe if we take this route, peace will be sustained.
“Thank you for maintaining peace in Bayelsa State. I heard that on the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protests, when the boys came out, the Governor addressed them and asked them to relax, assuring everything would be put in place.
“I wouldn’t be here if there was continued protest in Bayelsa. So, I salute your courage, I salute your government, and I salute the people of Bayelsa State for identifying with President Bola Tinubu.”
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
