PORT HARCOURT REFINERY REHABILITATION: Niger Delta Groups Applaud Petroleum Minister, Others
3 min read
by Our Correspondent
Stakeholders and youth groups in the Niger Delta region have commended the Hon Minister of State, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Group Managing Director NNPC Mallam Mele Kyari and the Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) Engr. Ahmed Dikko for their resolve to commence the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The groups stated that the news of the rehabilitation of the refinery has raised excitement amongst youth groups and different labour organisations and business owners in the region, adding that the project would create employment for both skilled and unskilled labour as well as enhance commercial activities within and around the Refinery environment.
Recall that some Nigerians were opposed to the rehabilitation of the Refinery, describing it as another white elephant project and rather suggested that the Refineries be concessioned or outrightly sold to private operators to manage them.
They noted that the deployment of Engr. Ahmed Dikko as Managing Director of the PHRC, an Engineer with excellent pedigree and a thoroughbreed professional to supervise the project is a clear pointer that the Ministry of Petroleum is eager to get it right
This was the position of stakeholders after an emergency meeting convened by the National President of the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, aimed at discussing the wayforward towards the improvement of the socioeconomic and security condition in the region.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, the President of Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress NDYCPP Pastor Teide Jude Olayinka, commended the MD PHRC, Engr Ahmed Dikko for carrying the host communities along, citing the recent stakeholder’s engagement with Eleme and Okrika and other communities as a well thought out initiative to all areas of CSR which is unprecedented, and urged him not to relent in his confidence building disposition.
He further stated that the groups have also 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 their teeming members.
The president of NDYCPP noted that the project is meant to boost the economy of Rivers State as said by the MD PHRC at different fora that the project can engage about 3000 labour force, stating that “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”
In his remark, the Speaker of the Rivers State Youth Leaders Assembly, Rt. Hon Prince Tonye Jeminimiema said Rivers youths have no option but 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.
“We have concluded 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”.
