Kunle Kalejaye 10 May 017, Sweetcrude, Houston Texas – Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has described the state to Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs, in the United State of America as Nigeria’s best kept secret when it comes to doing business in the oil and gas industry.
Dickson stated this at the 2017 Nigeria Content Investment Forum, NCIF, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and SweetcrudeReports in Houston, Texas, United States.
The governor was in Houston with a delegation of key Bayelsa State officials, as part of his administration’s efforts to attract foreign manufacturers and investors in the oil and gas industry to the state.
“We refer to Bayelsa as the capital of oil and gas in Nigeria because the story of oil and gas started in Bayelsa and we have the largest gas reserves in the country….Bayelsa is Nigeria’s best kept secret”, he said, adding: We are ready for business,” he said.
Reiterating the benefits of investing in the state, the governor disclosed that in the last five years of his administration, he has worked with stakeholders following a clear headed policy of first instituting security and stability in communities and around the state.
“Even though historically, Bayelsa is the centre of gravity of all the issues and concerns of the Niger Delta, Bayelsa is one of the most peaceful, one of the most stable states and with all the investment we are making, Bayelsa is ready for business. And that is the story am here to share.
He stated that for the benefit of Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs, and other foreign investors willing to venture into new territories, the state was creating an Eco-Industrial Park and wanted business men seeking a foothold in the Niger Delta to come and set up shops.
“We will give you land, give allocations to you with relevant documentation within one month of indicating interest, with all necessary certification.
“This is the icing on the cake: We have made lots of investment in power. The state is predominantly more gas than oil, so we can produce the gas that can power Nigeria and the entire Gulf of Guinea.
“We will supply power (to investors). Power is the greatest impediment towards industrialisation in our country. Business bleeds because of erratic power. We want to stop that with our planned Eco-Industrial Park,” he said.