Stakeholders in the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre (OMPRC) project, at the weekend, expressed excitement as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) formally handed over construction work on the long-awaited centre in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Council of Bayelsa State, to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.

The development signalled the completion of all preparatory formalities and the alignment of key stakeholders. It paved the way for the unhindered commencement of construction work at the historic site where oil production began in Nigeria in 1957.

At the ceremony, which marked a major milestone in the execution of the landmark project, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB and Project Lead, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the multi-billion-naira initiative, which comprises a world-class oil and gas museum and a research testing centre, as a fulfilment of the promoters’ vision to place the Otuabagi Community, home to Oloibiri Oil Well 1, on the global map.

He noted that it is an international tradition to immortalise the origins of oil and gas industries by establishing socioeconomically significant projects in such locations, while stressing that Nigeria should not be an exception even as he highlighted global examples such as Pennsylvania in the United States, which is renowned for its oil heritage sites, including museums, research centres, and tourist attractions.

Ogbe, who was represented at the event by the NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, told the community that history is in the making and that a dedicated project management team had been constituted to ensure compliance with timelines and quality standards.

He also revealed that a comprehensive governance structure has been established for the museum centre to ensure efficient management, with provisions to give the community a strong sense of ownership.