FG Assures American Investors Adequate Support For Modular Refinery Establishment In Gbaramatu

By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
In its desire to enhance the peace process in the Niger Delta Region, the Federal Government has assured a leading American Modular Refinery Investor, Missouri American Energy Moham of its readiness to support the establishment of Gbaramatu Modular Refinery, GMR.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources( State) Dr. Ibe Kachikwu gave the assurance when the pioneer Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC and Bolowei(Prime Minister) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief(Dr.) Wellington Okirika led a powerful delegation of American Investors to his Office in Abuja.
The minister who was represented by the Executive Director/Coordinator Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Refinery ( DownStream and Infrastructural Development) Engr. Rabiu Suleiman stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply worried about the huge environmental degradations and environmental pollution associated with ” unprofessional, unscientific” and ” unconventional methods being adopted by local refinery operators in the country, hence the federal government has taken a decision to encourage the establishment of modular refinery with serious encouragement to local refinery operators to key into the project.
” The president is so concerned about the Niger Delta environment and has assured the ministries and all its agencies of his readiness to ensure that some of the bureaucratic requirements needed for the establishment of such refinery would be relaxed so that foreign investors Missouri American Energy Moham and Community Capital Group, Canada can be encouraged to do business without necessarily hurting the environment or creating other environment problems.”
Kachikwu also noted that the Federal Government is very pleased with Gbaramatu Kingdom for organizing themselves and coming up with the laudable and achievable partnership programmed especially keying into the Federal Government programme aimed at discouraging local crude method of refining products that has far reaching environmental implications in the ecosystem and which can further address youth restiveness and militancy in the area.
” This is the most serious investors that we have seen in recent times and we would be happy to see that this pioneer Modula refinery in Niger Delta comes to reality.”
Earlier in address, the promoter of the modular refinery in Gbaramatu, Chief (Dr.) Wellington Okirika stated that the Gbaramatu Oil and Gas Producing Trust Funds is a group of major oil and gas producing communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Council of Delta State.
Chief Okirika noted that the oil and gas communities in Gbaramatu has eight flow stations including Jones Creek, Odidi I&II, Egwa I&II and all former SPDC Flow Stations now being operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC.
Others include Abiteye, Utunana and Makaraba flow stations operated by multinational oil company, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL.
Chief Okirika said, ” 20,000barrels per day production facilities will no doubt encourage grassroots development and peace process in the Niger Delta. Already, the project site has been surveyed and cleared. Feasibility studies and bankable business plans have been prepared by financial bridge, Miami USA. All that is needed now is friendly government policies that will encourage the growth and sustainability  of such business ventures.”
President of Missouri American Energy Moham, Honourable Henry Iwenofu stated that two hundred million, USD ($200,000,000.00) has been earmarked for the takeoff of fabrication and installation of modular refinery components in the USA and Nigeria respectively is in tact.
“Another two hundred million USD ($200,000,000.00) is readily available for infrastructural development within his area of operations. All Missouri American Energy Moham needed is a friendly business environment with governmental policies and programmed that will enable the refinery strive and achieve its desired objectives.”
Present at the meeting with the Minister were officials of Missouri America Energy, Dr. Chike Okechukwu, Dr. Alfred Okeke, Mr. Howard Wegman of Community Capital Group, Canada, Special Adviser to Delta State Government on Petroleum Matters, Hon. Bosin Ebikeme and notable leaders of Gbaramatu Kingdom including Chief Alfred Makaraba Bubor, Chief(Lt.Col) Satchie Etoromi Rtd., Community Chairmen and representatives.