Bayelsa gas facility: NCDMB, Shell sign agreement
Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has disclosed that it has entered into an agreement with Shell Nigeria Gas for the lease of one hectare of its land at Polaku, Bayelsa State, for the development of a Pressure Reduction and Metering Station by Shell.
NCDMB noted in a statement that the agreement was signed in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote and the Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Mr. Ed Ubong.
NCDMB ES stated that the board has decided to use part of its land to catalyse the distribution and availability of natural gas to domestic gas to users within Bayelsa and neighbouring states.
Wabote asserted that the availability of natural gas will open up the corridor of opportunities for new and existing investors.
He said, “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”
NCDMB ES noted that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had declared 2020 as the year of gas, and the NCDMB had bought into this declaration.
Wabote said the partnership with SNG would enable the provision of natural gas for power generation, feedstock, transportation, and for other industrial uses.
He added that SNG’s project aligned with the board’s 10-year roadmap, which aimed at increasing the level of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry to 70 per cent by 2027.
Managing Director, SNG conveyed Shell’s excitement to distribute gas from its Gbarain-Ubie facility to drive economic development in Bayelsa State and environs.
He described Shell as the pioneer and leader in the delivery of domestic gas.
The Chairman, Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, Mr. Hans Nijkamp, said the investment would unlock gas delivery and economic development in Bayelsa State.