The Bayelsa State government has concluded plans to build tank farms for petroleum products in the state as a reservoir to cushion the adverse effects arising from recurring scarcity of petroleum products.
The State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Elder Markson Fefegha, who stated this on Friday during the Inter-Ministerial briefing preceding the Sixth Anniversary of the Restoration Government in Yenagoa, said the tank farms would help encourage people to go into the distribution of the products and boost the local economy.
Giving the scorecard of his ministry, Fefegha said the ministry has helped the state government recover over N15 billion, 13 per cent derivation revenue under-payment since 2006 to date as well as resolved conflicts between communities and oil companies, communities and Cluster Boards.
He listed the establishment of the Bayelsa Oil Company, which was recently overhauled by the governor, to begin production of oil at the Atala Marshal Oil Field, OML 46, allotting 48 Oil and Gas Attaches to International Oil Companies to monitor and ascertain the true volume of oil and gas taken from the state among others.
“There is a plan by the ministry to build tank farms for petroleum products in the state especially when there is petroleum scarcity. In Maiduguri, they have petroleum products for weeks and months because they have tank farms. Government is going to do that for the state.”
“This will encourage our people to go into distribution of the products.”
Also taking the stand on the last day of the briefing at the Dr Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, was the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ikurumo Dauprebo listing achievements in the ministry to include; the establishment of the Agge Deep Sea Port, Sagbama-Ekeremor Road project and the Bayelsa International Airport, which has the potential of creating over 2000 jobs and boost economic growth.