Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has reaffirmed that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme, NOGaPS, at Emeyal-1 in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State will commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, with plans underway to install a 2.5-megawatt Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, power plant to drive industrial activities at the facility.
The Board said the power project forms a critical component of efforts to ensure the park becomes fully operational as scheduled, providing reliable and sustainable electricity supply to manufacturers and service companies expected to operate within the industrial hub.
The assurance was given by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, following an assessment visit to the facility by key officials of the Board.
According to Ezeobi, the inspection revealed significant progress across major infrastructure and support facilities designed to position the park as a strategic manufacturing base for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme was established to deepen local content development by creating an enabling environment for the manufacturing of oil and gas components, equipment and related inputs within Nigeria, while generating employment and stimulating economic growth.
Providing further details on the state of the project, the Manager, Strategy and Transformation Projects at NCDMB, Mr. Olubisi Okunola, disclosed that several critical facilities have already been completed and are ready for use.
He listed the completed infrastructure to include manufacturing shop floors, a water treatment plant, accommodation facilities, classrooms, an amphitheater and residential apartments for trainers, facilitators and visiting professionals.
“Several critical facilities within the park have been completed and are ready for use. These include manufacturing shop floors, a fully functional water treatment plant, well-equipped accommodation facilities, modern classrooms, an amphitheater, and residential apartments for trainers, facilitators and visiting guests,” Okunola said.
He added that the Board has also completed key power infrastructure, including the switchgear building, transformers and heavy-duty generators, ahead of the installation of the planned 2.5MW CNG power plant.
To expand manufacturing capacity within the industrial park, Okunola explained that NCDMB has awarded a contract for the sand-filling of ponds located within the facility, creating additional land for industrial development.
“Upon completion of the sand-filling exercise, six manufacturing sheds will be constructed on the reclaimed land to provide industrial spaces for prospective investors and service providers,” he stated.
The Board also confirmed that environmental maintenance activities, including landscaping and routine facility upkeep, are ongoing to preserve infrastructure and maintain operational readiness ahead of commissioning.
According to NCDMB, ongoing works are focused on ensuring that all utilities, support services and operational infrastructure required for seamless industrial activities are fully completed before the targeted fourth-quarter 2026 launch date.
When operational, the Bayelsa Oil and Gas Park is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs, support indigenous manufacturing, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported oil and gas components, and strengthen local participation across the petroleum value chain.
