The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has formalized the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with Julius Berger PLC for the development of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC).
In a press Release made available by NCDMB's Corporate Communication, on Thursday, the landmark facility will be located in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, marking a pivotal step in commemorating Nigeria's oil and gas heritage.
The contract was signed on Thursday by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, at the Board’s liaison office in Abuja.
The project, valued at ₦117 billion, is scheduled for completion within 30 months. The OMRC is jointly financed by the Petroleum Development Technology Fund (PTDF), NCDMB, Shell Petroleum Development Company/Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., and the Bayelsa State Government, with contributions split in the ratio of 40:30:20:10, respectively.
The multi-partner project operates under a company limited by guarantee, with NCDMB's Executive Secretary serving as chairman and Mr. Naboth Onyesoh, the Director of Legal Services at NCDMB, acting as secretary.
The contract was previously approved by all partners and endorsed by Julius Berger PLC.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the OMRC took place in February 2023, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The event attracted top government officials, oil and gas industry stakeholders, and community representatives, showcasing the project's significance to Nigeria's oil and gas sector.
Engr. Ogbe expressed his enthusiasm for the project's commencement, emphasizing its economic benefits for Bayelsa State and the nation.
He buttressed its role in honouring Nigeria's hydrocarbon history, which began with the first commercial production in 1958.
Ogbe also commended President Bola Tinubu for championing the long-overdue initiative and fostering collaboration among government bodies and private sector partners.
The OMRC will feature a world-class museum chronicling the evolution of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry as well as showcasing historical equipment, tools, and geological artifacts.
It will also include a research and testing center to support indigenous oil and gas innovation, provide learning opportunities for university students, and enable the commercialization of research breakthroughs.
Beyond its historical and educational value, the OMRC is poised to create significant employment opportunities and stimulate a new value chain in oil and gas technology, positioning it as a transformative project for Nigeria’s economy and energy sector.
