By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced the construction of a 2,000 barrels per day modular refinery, in Brass, Bayelsa State.
The modular refinery, according to NCDMB, is being developed by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, in partnership with the board.
Speaking on this, the Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, Mr Naboth Onyesoh, said the project includes a power plant and logistics jetty to provide support for oil and gas operations.
Mr Onyesoh disclosed that the modular refinery would be the fourth supported by NCDMB under the federal government’s plan to use modular refineries to drive the development of the Niger Delta region.
He said NCDMB had injected equity capital funds in three modular refineries with the Waltersmith 5,000 barrels per day modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State already in operation.
Others are the 12,000 barrels per day Hydroskimming modular refinery being constructed by Azikel Petroleum Limited in Gbarain, Bayelsa and the 2,500 barrels per day modular refinery being developed by Duport Midstream Company in Egbokor, Edo.
According to Mr Onyesoh, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of an Energy Infrastructure Park, last Saturday in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
He quoted Mr 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.
According to the minister, this would ensure value addition to crude oil, growing domestic refining capacity to improve products availability, create jobs in-country and curb pipeline vandalism.
He then urged the people of Okpoama Kingdom and other parts of the Niger Delta to create an investment-friendly environment that would attract other oil, gas and manufacturing facilities to the region.
Dipo Olowookere