By Obas Esiedesa
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) on Wednesday signed an agreement for the lease of one hectare of NCDMB land at Polaku, Bayelsa State, for the development of a Pressure Reduction and Metering Station by Shell.
The deal was signed in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote and the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), Mr. Ed Ubong.
A statement by the Board explained that the Pressure Reduction and Metering Station will be used to distribute part of the gas from Shell’s Gbarain-Ubie Gas Plant for domestic utilization.
In his remarks at the event, Engr Wabote disclosed that the partnership would lead to the creation of 30,000 jobs in two years.
He explained that the Board decided to use part of its land to catalyse the distribution and availability of natural gas to domestic gas to users within Bayelsa and neighboring states, in line with the agency’s vision to be a catalyst for the industrialization of the Nigerian oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.
According to him, the availability of natural gas will open up the corridor of opportunities for new and existing investors.
He added that NCDMB is already in receipt of proposals for the location of power plants, CNG plants, and other manufacturing outfits in Polaku.
He stated: “With the extension of the gas pipeline network by SNG, more businesses can be supplied with natural gas thereby creating employment and enabling impactful economic activities. With this partnership, we expect 30,000 direct and indirect jobs to be created in construction, manufacturing, and services sector within the next two years”.
He stated that the partnership with Shell Nigeria Gas will enable the provision of natural gas for power generation, feed stock, transportation, and for other industrial uses.
He added that SNG’s project aligns with the Board’s our 10-year Roadmap which aims to increase the level of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry to 70 percent by 2027.
The Executive Secretary also stated that the Board was delighted to partner with Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) Limited because the company had been supplying natural gas via pipelines to industrial customers within the Agbara/Ota axis, including the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Ogun state, Aba industrial areas in Abia state, and Port Harcourt in Rivers State with a very impressive safety record.
In his comments, Ubong said Shell was excited to distribute gas from its Gbarain-Ubiefacilityto drive economic development in Bayelsa State and environs.
He stated that Shell is the pioneer and leader in the delivery of domestic gas.
Chairman of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, Mr. Hans Nijkamp said the investment will unlock gas delivery and economy development in Bayelsa State.
“Everywhere we have distributed gas, we have seen the explosion of economic activities. That’s Shell’s domestic agenda for gas in Nigeria is very important and we have growth plans and very excited to work together with NCDMB.”
