…Inspect CDU, Other Facilities at Azikel Refinery
By Abdulrahman Abdullahi | National News
Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, have commended the Azikel Group for its efforts to drive industrialisation and economic development in Bayelsa State and the wider Niger Delta region.
The leaders gave the commendation on Monday during an inspection tour of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and other facilities at the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
They also pledged continued support for the successful completion of the multi-billion-naira refinery project, which they said would create jobs, stimulate businesses and open new economic opportunities for the people.
Speaking during the inspection, Governor Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the Azikel Group.
He described the refinery as a major milestone in Bayelsa’s industrialisation drive, noting that the project would contribute significantly to employment generation and economic diversification.
Diri congratulated the President of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, and his team on the successful arrival of the CDU, which he described as one of the most critical components of a refinery.
The governor said industrialisation remained a key pillar of his administration’s Prosperity Agenda, stressing that the responsibility of government was to create an enabling environment for businesses and investments to thrive.
He noted that the state government’s ongoing road construction projects were aimed at improving connectivity and providing easier access to industrial investments, including the Azikel Refinery.
Diri urged Bayelsans to prepare themselves to take advantage of the employment and skills-development opportunities the refinery would generate, while cautioning against the commercialisation of opportunities meant for indigenes.
He said: “The Prosperity Government, which is the agenda that we propagate, has industry and industrialisation as one of the major things. As a government, our business is to provide or enhance ease of doing business.”
The governor added that Bayelsa’s universities had graduates capable of filling various positions that would emerge from the investment, urging young people to acquire the necessary skills to participate meaningfully in the project.
Also speaking, Dame Patience Jonathan commended the Bayelsa State Government for supporting the refinery project, particularly through infrastructure development and improved road access to the facility.
She described the investment as significant to the state, noting that Bayelsa had historically depended heavily on government employment and allocations.
According to her, sustainable development required investments capable of creating wealth and opportunities rather than relying solely on salaries and government revenue allocations.
Dame Jonathan urged the government, host communities and other stakeholders to support the refinery, stressing that its benefits would extend beyond the Azikel Group to the wider Bayelsa economy.
She said: “It is not the amount of money you get at the moment, but the investment you put on ground that matters. What we are doing is not for you alone; it is for all of us.”
In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the refinery would have a multiplier effect on Bayelsa’s economy through job creation, increased commercial activities and attraction of new investments.
Ogbuku also noted that the project could boost passenger traffic and business activities at the Bayelsa International Airport by attracting investors, contractors and other professionals to the state.
He urged Bayelsans, especially youths, not to remain spectators but to acquire the skills and capacity required to benefit from the opportunities that would emerge from the refinery.
The NDDC boss also commended the state government for improving road access to the refinery, saying the infrastructure had made the investment more accessible and demonstrated the state’s preparedness to harness the economic opportunities associated with the project.
On his part, Azikel Group President, Dr Azibapu Eruani, described the refinery as a major industrial milestone for Bayelsa State and Nigeria.
Eruani said the project had reached a critical stage following the arrival of the CDU, adding that the development represented the culmination of eight years of work by the group.
According to him, the refinery has a capacity of 25,000 barrels per day and represents an investment of about $1 billion.
He said the facility would produce petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), naphtha and heavy fuel oil.
Eruani explained that the CDU took more than three years to construct in South Korea before it was transported to Nigeria aboard a specially chartered vessel.
Other dignitaries who delivered goodwill messages at the event included the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and former Chief Operating Officer, Refinery and Petrochemical, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mustapha Yakubu.
The inspection further highlighted the growing expectations surrounding the Azikel Refinery as a major private-sector investment expected to contribute to Bayelsa’s industrialisation, job creation and economic development.
