Groups in the Niger Delta region have described the ongoing rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery as a welcome development, which would boost the economy of the region and create jobs.
Recall that the federal government in March 2021 awarded contract of $1.5 billion to an Italian firm, Tecnimont SPA, for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, to be completed in 44 months.
Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the groups, namely the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND; Rivers State Youth Leaders Assembly, and the Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress, NDYCPP; said the project would create jobs.
The groups lauded the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Group Managing Director, NNPC Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari and the Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refinery Company, Engr. Ahmed Dikko on the refinery rehabilitation.
President of MOSIEND, Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, said the ongoing rehabilitation of the refinery has raised excitement and hope amongst youth groups and different labour organisations and business owners in the region.
West added that the project would create employment for both skilled and unskilled labour as well as enhance commercial activities within and around the Refinery environment.
He added that the stakeholders meeting was imperative, to discuss the way forward towards the improvement of the socio-economic and security condition in the region.
Also, the President of NDYCPP, Mr Teide Jude, said the groups have worked out modalities on how to partner and positively key into the project, especially in the areas of employment and award of contracts to qualified firms and businesses owned by youths of the region.
Jude noted that the project was meant to boost the economy of Rivers State, while quoting the Managing Director of PHRC as saying that the rehabilitation project would engaged about 3,000 labour force.
“We know him as a very focused and dogged personality who is known for his ability to deliver promptly with tangible results, we are supporting him and enjoin all stakeholders to do same instead of casting aspersions and embarking on fault-finding because this project is sited on our land and we are the first to benefit.”
Also, the Speaker of the Rivers State Youth Leaders Assembly, Mr Tonye Jeminimiema, urged Rivers youths to support and encourage not just the Managing Director, but the management of PHRC and the project and appealed to politicians not to politicize the project as it is for the common good of the people.
Jeminimiema also announced plans to organize the second edition of the Niger Delta Youth Leaders Entrepreneur Summit on Oil and Gas.
“Recall the maiden edition was held in Bonny Kingdom in 2019 with the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu and the Executives Secretary of NCDMB Engr. Simbi Wabote in attendance.
“The Youth Leaders Entrepreneur Summit on Oil and Gas will enable youths that are focused and goal oriented to legitimately partake in the oil and gas business instead of engaging in illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other illicit activities etc.
“We are inviting top government officials and key industry players to interact with, mentor us as well as chart a new developmental course for a new generation players in the industry”.
SOURCE: sweetcrudereports.com