The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has said the oil and gas museum and research centre being built in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, will preserve the history of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Oloibiri is the site of Nigeria’s first commercial oil discovery in 1956 and is regarded as the birthplace of the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking during an inspection of the site, he expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.
He described the museum as a monumental project that will document artifacts, photographs, records and milestones from over six decades of oil exploration and production.
He disclosed that the project had been on the drawing board for decades before the present administration renewed efforts to bring it to reality.
“I am very happy that I came today to see what is going on here. This is a masterpiece. The main building itself is over 10,000 square metres,” the minister said.
Lokpobiri said the facility would enable Nigerians and international visitors to understand how the country’s oil and gas industry started, its development over the years, the challenges it encountered and its prospects for the future.
He noted that several countries were interested in learning from Nigeria’s experience in the petroleum industry, stressing that the museum would provide a central location where such visitors could access historical materials and research on the sector.
He also said the facility when completed would provide much-needed space for oil and gas exhibitions, conferences and retreats, noting that the country lacked sufficient facilities capable of accommodating large-scale industry events.
He said the centre could become a major venue for oil and gas retreats, where participants would have the opportunity to combine their meetings with tours of the museum and research facilities.
He further disclosed that about N70bn had been paid for the first phase of the project, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to fulfil its financial obligations to ensure that construction was not delayed.
He said he had been informed of a document awaiting his attention in his office and promised to review and sign it to facilitate the continued execution of the project.
The minister also pledged to visit the site regularly, through unannounced visits, to monitor the progress of work.
He commended the contractor for the quality of work so far and appealed to the host community to continue their support for the project and cooperating with the contractors.
The Project Manager, Botha de Bruyn, also assured that the contractor was steadfast in its commitment to completing the project in accordance with the approved designs, specifications and construction schedule.
De Bruyn said the contractor recognised the historical importance of the project and would continue to work with the Federal Government, project management team and host community to ensure its successful delivery.
He pledged the contractor’s continued commitment to quality, safety and timely completion.
The Project Director of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre, Architect Ladipo Lewis, said the facility was designed to recognise Oloibiri as the birthplace of Nigeria’s oil exploration and development.
Lewis explained that the museum would document and preserve the history, culture, environment, technology, tourism and heritage of the area, while showcasing the development of the petroleum industry across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.
He said the museum would feature exhibits covering oil and gas technology, equipment, vehicles, ships, rigs, boats and other materials associated with the industry.
According to him, the research centre would also provide facilities for documentation, archiving, research, training and employment opportunities, particularly in local content development.
Lewis disclosed that the main museum building covered more than 10,500 square metres, with over 4,000 square metres of gallery space, an expansive lobby of more than 750 square metres and a 758-square-metre auditorium.
He added that the research centre and laboratories occupied more than 5,400 square metres, while restaurants, shopping facilities and other amenities were also incorporated into the complex.
Giving an update on the construction, Lewis said the project had reached more than 15 per cent completion, with significant infrastructure work already carried out.
He said more than 580 foundation piles had been sunk to depths of over 17 metres, while the concrete slab for the main museum building had been completed.
Lewis added that Oil Wells 1 and 2 had reached roofing level, while the cabana and maintenance building were also progressing.
