Bayelsa State Government in partnership with the Organized Private Sector, (OPS) is set to create at least 30,000 jobs in Oil and gas and other sectors of the economy.
In line with its Restoration Agenda, Government has stressed the need for a private sector driven economy and this has led to the proposed establishment of a Fertilizer Plant, the Maritime Academy and Brass LNG at Brass Island, Airport, pharmaceutical products and many others in the State.
This development will provide a platform for youths to acquire training and become employable in various aspects of the economy.
To further achieve this goal, Government has entered into a bilateral agreement with a United Kingdom based Oil Company, Heritage Oil Plc and other major companies and institutions to broaden the base of the economy, generate employment and create high level skills in the State.
In view of the fore-going, Governor Seriake Dickson has expressed optimism that with the enforcement of the Federal Government’s Local Content Development Policy, the problem of unemployment would be minimized and a an enduring peace and stability will be enthroned in the State and the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson said the Bayelsa State is ready for active participation in the oil and gas industry.
Under the agreement, Heritage Oil Plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, has an equity share of 45 per cent while Bayelsa Oil Company would take charge of 55 per cent in the joint venture, named Petrobay.
He noted that the headquarters of Petrobay would be situated in Yenagoa and will have the capacity to compete favourably with other stakeholders both in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry.
Consequently, Governor Dickson urged youths of the State to take advantage of the opportunities that these major companies would offer in the nearest future to better their lot.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Oil Company, Mr. Tony Buckingham, pointed out that the partnership, which will run into hundreds of millions of dollars is targeted at developing the resources of the State as well as facilitate its economic wellbeing.
Mr. Buckingham lauded the efforts of Governor Dickson in expanding the frontiers of opportunities in the oil industry for the benefit of Bayelsans and indicated his company’s readiness to provide the requisite funding and expertise.
“The natural resources of Bayelsa and indeed Nigeria belong to the Nigerian and Bayelsa people. These resources are to be used for the betterment of the people. They are to be used for education, healthcare and for the everyday man, woman and child in the street who had suffered and who have not had what they actually deserve. But I think the Governor has a passion and the desire to enable everybody within Bayelsa and also Nigeria to reap the just reward of the country’s oil reserve.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Bayelsa Oil Company, King Amalate Turner expressed delight at the signing of the MoU, which he noted was the fallout of fruitful interactions between the State and its partner that earlier held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Describing the agreement as a big leap in the development strides of the present administration, King Turner Stated that the partnership would benefit the State tremendously, in the area of job creation and boosting the internally generated revenue.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
4/11/2013
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