As part of the stakeholders’ tour of NCDMB projects, partnerships, and initiatives in the Niger Delta region, the delegates stopped at Delta State to visit the ICT Centre at Afiasere Secondary School in Ugehelli North Local Government Area, Nedo Gas Plant at Emu-Ebendo, and the Kwale Gas Gathering Plant located at Obodogwa, both in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state.
In his comments, the General Manager, Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah informed stakeholders that the tour was conceived to expose stakeholders to the projects the Board had embarked on to develop the oil and gas industry and industrialize the nation. He described Nedo Gas Plant as a special purpose vehicle, which emerged through a partnership amongst the NCDMB, Xenergi and Energia. He explained that Xenergi is the gas processor, Energi owns OML 56 and they partnered NCDMB to form Nedo Gas Plant. He added that the Board took equity in Nedo Gas in fulfillment of its mandate to develop the capacity of Nigerian companies, develop Nigerian content and grow the oil and gas industry.
Speaking at the Kwale Gas Gathering, (KGG) Plant, the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Special Duties, Prince Olatunji Olusoji commended the Board’s initiative and emphasized the need for the state government’s continuous collaboration with NCDMB to create the enabling environment for more projects.
He stated that the state government is prepared to partner with the Board in other interventions. “Government cannot create jobs for everybody but can create the enabling environment for investors to come in and agencies like NCDMB to effectively execute its mandate so that youths will be gainfully employed. The government will also continue to encourage her people to see the need to allow investors operate peacefully in their communities”, he stated.
At the tour site, the Chairman of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, (NSE), Warri Branch, Engr. Godwin Enibueta stated that the move by the Board to partner with private companies will lead to efficient utilization of the nation’s gas reserves and make gas available for power generation companies and other industries.
Also speaking, the Delta State Chairman of the Niger Delta Youth Movement, (NDYM), Comrade Munoyo Edon noted that he had heard positive reports about the Board programmes on media platforms, but the tour has afforded him the opportunity to see the projects which are contributing to economic development and creating opportunities for the youths of the Niger Delta.
He expressed optimism that the development of gas expansion projects would create jobs for the youths, adding that the Board’s partnership with industry players will also create opportunities in technology and development.
At Afiasere, the Principal of the post-primary school in the area, Sir Christian Orakpo Ahweyevu showered encomiums on the Board, hinting that the ICT centre had boosted the morale of the staff and students of the school, and serves as a major source of information technology learning for the students.
Sir Ahweyevu also indicated that the centre will be a source of income for the school as it plans to liaise with examination bodies like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) to use the facility for its Computer Based Tests, (CBT) to generate funds and maintain the centre.
