No less than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created in the construction, manufacturing, and services sectors within the next two years as a result of a new agreement recently signed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG).
The agreement entails the NCDMB leasing one hectare of its land at Polaku, Bayelsa State, for the development of a Pressure Reduction and Metering Station by Shell. This pressure reduction and metering station, when developed, would be used to distribute part of the gas from Shell’s Gbarain-Ubie Gas Plant for domestic utilisation.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Kesiye Simbi Wabote and the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), Mr E. D. Ubong signed the deal on behalf of their organizations in Abuja.
While speaking about the agreement, Wabote said it was in line with the NCDMB’s vision as he noted that the land would catalyse the distribution and availability of natural gas to domestic gas users within Bayelsa State and neighbouring states.
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According to him, the availability of natural gas would open up the corridor of opportunities for new and existing investors. He added that NCDMB had already received proposals for the location of power plants, compressed natural gas (CNG) plants, and other manufacturing outfits in Polaku.
“With the extension of the gas pipeline network by SNG, more businesses can be supplied with natural gas, thereby, creating employment and enabling impactful economic activities. With this partnership, we expect 30,000 direct and indirect jobs to be created in construction, manufacturing, and services sector within the next two years,” Wabote said.
Also commenting was the Shell Chief who expressed his excitement that the distribution of gas from the Gbarain-Ubie facility would drive economic development in Bayelsa State and environs. He stated that Shell is the pioneer and leader in the delivery of domestic gas.
The Chairman of Shell, Mr Hans Nijkamp, emphasized that the investment would unlock gas delivery and economic development in Bayelsa State. He made known that the company was very happy to work with the NCDMB and was optimistic that this would help in pushing Shell’s domestic agenda for gas in Nigeria.
