The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oloibiri

  • Shell to execute N1b Oloibiri health project

    Shell to execute N1b Oloibiri health project

    Shell has inked an agreement with the General Electric for the execution of a N1 billion health project, as part of three initiatives to mark 100 years of Nigeria’s nationhood.

    The project, which is phased over three years, aims to provide affordable and quality health care delivery through a population-wide approach in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    The project will involve the delivery of care through a network of four primary health centres and one general hospital using a Health System Strengthening model.

    It will also involve the establishment of a health research centre at Oloibiri to disseminate best practice for replication.

    A project steering committee has been set up, comprising representatives of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), the General Electric, Bayelsa State Government, Federal University, Otuoke and Ogbia Local Government Council.

    “The Oloibiri project is one of the single biggest social investment initiatives we have undertaken in the Niger Delta and underlines our commitment to a better future for the people there,” said SPDC Managing Director & Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, at the signing ceremony in Lagos.

    “We’re looking to see a holistic community health improvement in poverty alleviation, water and sanitation, safe/clean housing and household renewable energy among many others,” he added.

    The incoming SPDC MD and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, agreed.

    “This is a game changer in the provision of health care in the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Also reacting, Lazarus Angbazo President & CEO General Electric, Nigeria, added: “We’re pleased to act as implementing partner on a project that will significantly touch lives and improve the lot of community people.”

    The Commissioner of Health Dr. Ayibatonye Owei and the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, pledged their support for the project.

  • Like Oloibiri, don’t forget Bomu

    SIR: Bomu is a community where oil was discovered in commercial quantity, quality in 1958 by the Dutch oil giant, Shell, two years after oil was first discovered in Oloibiri. Oloibiri is now synonymous with oil. The Federal Government through its interventionist agencies approved the proposal for the construction of an oil and gas museum in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State at the cost of N33,945 billion. The museum, according to reports, will house a Research Centre and an InternationalConference Centre.

    NDDC has also constructed and commissioned concrete internal road for the Oloibiri Community and other social amenities like, water project, link bridge, landing jetty and electrification respectively.

    One is indeed thankful to the federal government and its interventionist agencies for these laudable insight and initiative for the goose that laid the golden egg for the nation while I rejoice with the recipient community, Oloibiri.

    However, apart from an empty glorification in the historical documentation, there is absolutely nothing concrete to signify that oil was discovered in Bomu in 1958. May I therefore appeal to the federal government and the various agencies to act like true sportsmen because, in a field of play, the runner up in a competition always goes home with a prize. The plight of Bomu Community in terms of oil exploration, exploitation, destruction of our aquatic life, environmental degradation and total abandonment from oil companies and government agencies is detrimental and call for a grave concern.

    It is my appeal that Bomu as the second runner up as well as the most promising community in Oil and Gas discovery in Nigeria be rewarded with project(s) as a replication of what is applicable or obtainable in Oloibiri Community in Bayelsa State.

    What is good for the goose should also good for the gander.

     

    •Tanifo, Bethel N.

    Bomu Community, Rivers State

  • Oloibiri Oil museum: Row over N34.9bn contracts

    Oloibiri Oil museum: Row over N34.9bn contracts

    •Aggrieved contractors ask Jonathan to intervene

    A fresh controversy has erupted over the award of N34.9billion contracts for the establishment of the Oil and Gas Research Centre and Museum in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)

    Oloibiri, where oil exploration was first struck in Nigeria in 1956, is bereft of any significant development or infrastructure.

    To address the neglect of the village, the government decided to build the museum for which 10 contractors are now bidding.

    But the decision of the BPP to award some of the contracts to companies it had earlier refused a “No Objection” certificate has turned the jostle for the project dirtier.

    BPP had, in letters dated July 9 2012, July 12, 2012 and July 24 2012 and signed by the Director General, Emeka Eze, recommended seven companies to the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

    The seven firms which the BPP claimed to have “passed the Due Process” for the N33. 949, 076, 952.95billion projects are Beks Kimse Ltd, Megastar Construction and Technical Co. Ltd, Sajook Nigeria Ltd, Kinetic Electromechanic Nig. Ltd, Unipad Nigeria Ltd, Meson Investment Ltd and Commerce Services.

    But in a September 11, 2012 letter to the PTDF, the BPP made a U-turn and asked the PTDF to award the contracts to Beks Kimse Ltd, Megastar Construction and Technical Co. Ltd, Mercury Engineering Ltd., Gabezi Nigeria Limited, Kinetic Electromechanic Nig. Ltd, Meson Investment Ltd and Z Cubes Nigeria Ltd., at a cost of N34,962, 631,734.69

    Three firms earlier considered fit for the contracts by BPP were removed from the list.

    They are Sajook Nigeria Limited, Unipad Nigera Limited, and Commerce Services.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The award of the contracts has created tension because those the BPP earlier refused certificate of no objection have been given the jobs.

    “We call on President Goodluck Jonathan to look into the process and ensure justice.

    “Apart from awarding the contracts to those refused certificate of no objection, the sum of the contracts increased from N33.9billion to N34,962, 631,734.69.”

    Another source said: “We are suspecting a foul play because some of the companies that did not originally undergo Due Process Screening were awarded contracts.

    “In fact, three of the firms which have been finally shortlisted are said to belong to one person. That means an individual is getting about 50 to 60 per cent of the contracts.

    “The government should ask security agencies to probe the award of these contracts in the interest of justice.”

    A reliable source, however, said: “I think you should leave the BPP out of this issue because it conducted due diligence but at a point, the PTDF on July 10 rejected the companies that had passed the Due Process Certification for the Oil and Gas Museum in Oloibiri.

    “The Director General of BPP, Emeka Ezeh, in a letter of July 24 2012 titled “Due Process Review Report on Contract for the Establishment of Oil and Gas Research Centre and Museum Oloibiri, Bayelsa state by PTDF”, said, “the Bureau wishes to reiterate her earlier decision that, Due Process certificate of No Objection Cannot be granted for the award of the contracts for the establishment of Oil and Gas Research Centre and Museum, Oloibiri, Bayelsa state in favour of some contractors.

    “Award of contracts like these requires some technical challenges and the BPP has to weigh all options.

    “The DG of BPP has no vested interest in any of the affected companies. For the records, the BPP in a review report on July 9, 2012 said: ‘It is apparent that the PTDF reviews were skewed in favour of particular firms thereby deceiving other bidders and casting aspersions on the integrity of the government arising from non transparent procurement procedures.’