The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has officially signed an engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Julius Berger PLC for the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) project. The facility will be situated in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
During the signing ceremony at the NCDMB liaison office in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, confirmed that the construction will be completed within 30 months. The OMRC project is being funded by a partnership comprising the Petroleum Development Technology Fund (PTDF), NCDMB, Shell Petroleum Development Company/Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, and the Bayelsa State Government. Their contributions follow a financing ratio of 40:30:20:10, respectively.
The project has been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, with the NCDMB Executive Secretary serving as chairman and Mr. Naboth Onyesoh, Esq., Director of Legal Services at NCDMB, acting as the company secretary.
Originally awarded in February 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the contract for OMRC’s construction was valued at ₦117 billion. The groundbreaking ceremony earlier this year attracted top government officials, oil and gas stakeholders, and community leaders.
Engr. Ogbe expressed enthusiasm about the contract’s execution, emphasizing its significance in advancing economic opportunities for Bayelsa and Nigeria at large. He highlighted the museum’s role in honoring Nigeria’s hydrocarbon heritage, which began in 1958, and noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has prioritized the project’s timely delivery.
Key Features of the OMRC:
Museum: A world-class facility showcasing Nigeria’s crude oil history, geological formations, and early exploration tools and platforms.
Research Center: A testing hub for oil and gas-related indigenous technologies, providing opportunities for university students to explore advancements in local research.
Economic Impact: The project will foster technology commercialization, create jobs, and develop a new value chain through museum and research operations.
The OMRC is set to serve as a symbol of Nigeria’s oil and gas legacy while driving innovation and economic growth for years to come.
