By; EDEM DARLINGTON, Calabar
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote says the oil and gas industrial park in Odukpani, Cross River State has the capacity to generate thousands of direct jobs for indigenes of the state as well as many other indirect jobs.
Mr. Wabote stated this at the groundbreaking ceremony to signal formal commencement of work at the site, located in Onim ankiong community Odukpani local government area of the state. He cautioned youths of the area to avoid any form of action that lead to violence in other not to hinder the project.
he said ” what this project will bring to this community and state is real development and I want to plead with the youths of this community not to allow themselves used to cause problem. I must sound it very clear at at anytime we hear of any trouble we will be forced to immediately shut down the site. So I beg you to allow this project move smoothly”
He said same project will be sited in other states in the Niger Delta but that Cross River was taking the lead.
Reacting, The Paramount Ruler elect, Odukpani local government His Royal Majesty, Etinyin Otu Asuquo Messembe V said he was delighted to have the project domiciled in his domain but dismissed fears about youths disrupting the project. ” let me state clearly here that we have a very very responsible youths in this community” he said
Performing the groundbreaking ceremony, deputy governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu expressed delight over the project and enjoined the board and contractors to ensure indigenes of the community and state are employed during the construction phase.
The Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks (NOGAPS) is a project of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and hopes to domesticate large percent of indigenous capacity within the oil and gas sector.
