The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, on Thursday, signed the engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Julius Berger PLC for the development of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre.
The museum is to be located in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
A statement released by the NCDMB Corporate Communications Department disclosed that the board’s Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, signed the contract at the board’s liaison office in Abuja. The project is scheduled to be completed within 30 months.
According to the statement, the OMRC is being financed by the Petroleum Development Technology Fund, NCDMB, Shell Petroleum Development Company/Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, and the Bayelsa State Government, with contributions in the ratios of 40%, 30%, 20%, and 10% respectively.
“The project is registered by guarantee, with the four organisations serving as partners.
Ogbe expressed delight at the signing of the contract, marking the official start of construction activities. He noted that the project would generate significant economic benefits for Bayelsa State and the nation during its construction and operational phases.
Ogbe thanked the project partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project’s progress. He explained that the museum was conceived to honour the birthplace of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, which began in 1958.
He also noted that President Bola Tinubu supports the project, considering it long overdue, and that multi-level government and private-sector collaboration has been crucial to bringing the project to fruition.
The statement added: “The OMRC project is expected to deliver a world-class oil and gas museum showcasing the history of crude oil production in Nigeria, including geological formations, early equipment, tools, and platforms used in the industry’s evolution.
“In addition, the research and testing centre will provide facilities for field trials of indigenous oil and gas research prototypes, granting access to university students in oil and gas disciplines to deepen their understanding of local technological advancements.
“The OMRC will also facilitate the commercialisation of research by creating an ecosystem for developing home-grown oil and gas technology. Furthermore, it will generate new commercial value chains from museum and research activities, creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.”
