The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the timely completion of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Center (OMRC) in Bayelsa State.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the assurance during an assessment tour of ongoing construction works at the project site in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Baylesa State.
The Oloibiri Oil Well 1, located in Otuabagi, marks the historic site where Shell Darcy first struck crude oil in commercial quantities on Sunday, January 15, 1956. This milestone launched Nigeria as a major petroleum-exporting nation following 50 years of unsuccessful exploration by international oil companies.
To preserve the heritage and artifacts of Nigeria’s energy industry, the Federal Government performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility on February 21, 2023. Upon completion, the complex will feature a Historical Museum which is curated space to house early exploration tools, historical data, and specialized equipment and a Functional Research Center which is a state-of-the-art facility designed to document and drive future developments in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
The landmark project is being executed as a collaborative partnership involving: Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Bayelsa State Government.
During the site inspection, Senator Lokpobiri reassured the lead contractors, Julius Berger Plc, that the administration of President Bola Tinubu will meet its financial obligations to maintain steady progress.
Project Director Architect Ladipo Lewis and Project Manager Botha de Bruyn briefed the Minister on site, confirming that construction is proceeding according to specification with a targeted completion date of 2028.
Once operational, the center is expected to deliver substantial economic and cultural benefits to both the local host communities and the country at large.
