The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed dissatisfaction over the abandonment of the Brass Modern Refinery project in Bayelsa State, describing it as unacceptable.
The minister made this known during an inspection visit to Brass Local Government Area of the State, during which he inspected the Ewa-ama road project, which leads to Brass Petroleum Products Terminal (BPPT).
A statement in Abuja from the minister’s spokesperson, Nneamaka Okafor, quoted Lokpobiri as reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to revitalising critical oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
Accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, Lokpobiri emphasised that the completion of ongoing projects in the region remain a key mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He assured that the government was determined to ensure the realisation of the projects within the president’s first two years in office.
“It is unacceptable that such a strategic project has been left in this state for so long. The federal government remains committed to ensuring that critical oil and gas infrastructure, like the Brass Refinery, is completed to create jobs and drive economic growth in the region.”
During his visit, the minister engaged with representatives of the host community, acknowledging their peaceful disposition despite the challenges they have faced. He urged them to continue supporting the federal government’s efforts and assured them that their concerns had been noted.
The minister further urged the host community to sustain the peace, emphasising that stability is essential for attracting further investment and development. He reiterated the government’s dedication to creating opportunities that would benefit the people of Brass and the broader Niger Delta region.
“I sincerely commend the people of Brass for their patience and cooperation. Your support is invaluable, and I assure you that we will work tirelessly to address these issues and bring this project to completion,” he added.
It quoted representatives of the community as expressing gratitude for the minister’s visit, describing it as a significant step towards restoring confidence in the government’s commitment to the region.
Emmanuel Addeh
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