Adewale Sanyaolu
To address the high rate of gas explosions often occasioned by the influx of substandard cylinders, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced a partnership with Rungas Prime Industries Limited for the establishment of a 400,000 per annum Type 3 LPG composite cylinder manufacturing plant in Polaku, Bayelsa State. The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Simbi Kesiye Wabote, made the disclosure at a town hall meeting with chiefs and representatives of the Polaku Community, where he said Rungas had been allocated two hectares of land at Polaku for the establishment of the factory.
NCDMB had purchased 10.6 hectares of land at Polaku in June 2013 for the purpose of establishing a pipemill but discussions with Yulong Pipemill of China and other investors did not yield expected results, leaving the land to lie fallow for almost seven years.
He stated that the groundbreaking ceremony for the cooking gas cylinder manufacturing plant would be performed in a few weeks by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, adding that NCDMB is keen on the project commencing immediately because it will create employment opportunities for youths from the state and environs.
He indicated that another strong motivation for the facility is the direct linkage to one of the minister’s operational priorities, which is the penetration and utilization of cooking gas by Nigerians.
The Executive Secretary expressed hope that the project will generate up to 200 direct and indirect jobs during construction phase and about 350 direct and indirect jobs during the full operations phase, in addition to other induced employment and economic activities.
He also confirmed that NCDMB had allotted another hectare of the Polaku land to a gas distribution company for the construction of a pressure reduction and metering station. ”This is meant to supply gas to upcoming industries in Polaku, Gbarain, and other surrounding areas for the distribution of domestic gas for power generation and for other industrial uses.”
He explained that the Board changed its strategy after experiencing long delays in getting investors for the planned pipemill.
According to him, the new strategy will ensure utilization of the site and bring manufacturing outfits to the area for creation of jobs and increase in economic activities, he said.
Wabote hinted that NCDMB was also in discussion with other investors to take up the remaining portions of the Polaku land, adding that “we will allocate the land to as many companies as possible for setting-up of viable businesses until the land is fully allocated.”
He maintained that NCDMB’s partnership with investors was in line with its vision to serve as a catalyst for the industrialization of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Identifying reasons why Yulong Pipemill did not continue with the pipemill project, the Executive Secretary said the company had concerns about security, cooperation from the host community and return on their investment, especially after the crash of crude oil prices in the international market. He noted that the company moved to Lekki Free Zone in Lagos and set up the pipemill within six months in 2016.
He charged the Polaku Chiefs and leaders to support the new investment because it will place their community on the map of oil and gas manufacturing activities and provide job opportunities for their children.
