The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to ensure the timely completion of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) in Bayelsa State.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the assurance during an assessment tour of ongoing construction works at the project site in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the inspection, Lokpobiri assured the main contractors, Julius Berger Plc, that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would fulfill its financial commitments to prevent delays on site.
Briefing the minister, the Project Director, Arc. Ladipo Lewis, and the Project Manager, Botha de Bruyn, confirmed that construction work was progressing according to specifications, with a targeted completion date of 2028.
When fully operational, the centre is expected to boost tourism, enhance local research capacity, and deliver significant economic benefits to the host communities and the country at large.
Oloibiri Oil Well 1, located in Otuabagi, marks the historic site where Shell Darcy first struck crude oil in commercial quantities on January 15, 1956.
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The milestone launched Nigeria into the global league of petroleum-exporting nations following 50 years of unsuccessful exploration by international oil firms.
To preserve the heritage and artifacts of the nation’s energy sector, the Federal Government performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility on February 21, 2023.
Upon completion, the complex will feature a historical museum to house early exploration tools, archived data, and specialized equipment, alongside a functional research centre designed to drive future technological advancements in the oil and gas industry.
The landmark project is being executed under a joint partnership involving the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and the Bayelsa State Government.
