The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has officially executed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with Julius Berger PLC for the development of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
- The contract was signed on Thursday by Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, at the Board’s liaison office in Abuja. Construction of the project is scheduled for completion within 30 months.
The OMRC project is being jointly financed by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), NCDMB, Shell Petroleum Development Company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, and the Bayelsa State Government. The funding will be provided in a ratio of 40%, 30%, 20%, and 10% respectively.
This project is being managed by a registered company with the four partner organizations serving as stakeholders. Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who chairs the registered company, signed the contract on behalf of the partners. Mr. Naboth Onyesoh, Esq., Director of Legal Services at NCDMB, served as the company’s secretary.
The contract, valued at N117 billion, was awarded in February 2023 by the Muhammadu Buhari administration as part of its effort to establish the OMRC. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in February 2023, attended by key government officials, oil and gas industry stakeholders, and community leaders.
Engr. Ogbe expressed his excitement over the execution of the contract, marking the official commencement of the construction phase. He emphasized that the OMRC will bring substantial economic benefits to Bayelsa State and the country at large, both during the construction phase and once operational. The project, which pays tribute to the birthplace of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, will showcase the history of crude oil production, including geological formations and early equipment used in the evolution of the oil and gas sector.
The OMRC will also include a research testing center, which will facilitate field trials for indigenous oil and gas technologies. The center will offer university students opportunities to enhance their understanding of oil and gas technologies, contributing to advancements in the industry. The project aims to foster the commercialization of research and the development of home-grown technology solutions, creating a new value chain and generating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
This project is a collaborative effort between government and the private sector, reflecting the importance of partnerships in realizing long-awaited initiatives that contribute to national development.
