The Akwa Ibom State Government has made a firm commitment to work with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to develop an oil and gas park in the state.
Rising from a meeting held recently by top officials of the government and the Board in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, an agreement was reached to site one of the planned parks in Ikwe community, Onna Local Government Area of the state as part of the strategies to bring activities of the oil and gas industry closer to local communities, engender development and create job opportunities.
The Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) was conceived by the Board to develop facilities close to oil fields where manufacturing of oil and gas components as well as research and development can be carried out. The parks would also serve for the integration of local entrepreneurs into manufacturing for the oil and gas and create an opportunity for the mentoring of the entrepreneurs by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other multinationals.
NOGaPS is planned for the nine oil producing states with pilots being developed presently in Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Imo State. This has spurred the interest of other state governments, including the Delta State Government which has also indicated interest to partner the Board on NOGaPS.
In his presentation at the meeting, the Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Patrick Dazibah Obah explained that the park will benefit Akwa Ibom State in diverse ways by contributing to its industrialization as well as creating employment opportunities for its indigenes and other Nigerians.
While affirming the state’s interest, Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Emmanuel Udom pledged that the State Government would bear 50 per cent of land acquisition costs in addition to constructing the road leading to the site. He also noted that the park’s power needs would be met from either the National Grid or the Ibom Power Plant.
The Governor further advised the Board to clear the identified site and carry out surveys and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Following the meeting, a team from the Board and the State Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Industry in company with leaders of the community visited the proposed location.
The delegation stated in their report that the site has a good topography and soil texture and can be assessed through land and water.
Their report further concluded that the site met the Board’s criteria for sitting an oil and gas park.
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