Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The 3.5million tonnes per year methanol production plant in Brass, Bayelsa State, when completed will place the country in the world’s map as one of the top producers of methanol, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Wabote, has said.
Recall that Final Investment Decision for the project, which is being undertaken by Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company Ltd in partnership with NCDMB, NNPC, DSV and others, was taken in Abuja recently.
The $3.5billion project, which is the first in Nigeria and largest in Africa is expected to create 30,000 jobs during construction phase and 5,000jobs during operations, and would be funded by loans from China Exim Bank, AfDB, etc.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, has explained that the Brass methanol project would provide opportunity for diversification of gas utilization, as well as job creation for Nigerians.
Wabote said local content can only grow sustainably when there are oil and gas projects, as mega projects like the Brass methanol plant provides opportunities to utilize local capacities and capabilities built over the years.
He emphasised the significance of two Federal Government’s agencies – NCDMB and NNPC in catalysing investments in the country.
According to him, “Also critical is the fact that the project provides further opportunity to diversify the utilization of our gas resources by opening up a new frontier in local methanol production.
“Upon completion, the 10,000tonnes per day day or 3.5million tonnes per year methanol plant will bring Nigeria into the world map as one of the top-10 producers of methanol.
“The opportunities provided by this project in jobs creation, gas utilization, local availability of methanol for primary and secondary users, amongst other reasons form the basis of our decision to partner with Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemicals Company Ltd to enhance delivery of the project.”
