TONWEI REFINERY | Molecular Science
Export Oriented Oil & Gas Refinery

Bayelsa Oil Refinery to Cost $2bn

Tonwei Refinery Limited, the first private oil refinery in the country, would cost a total sum of two billion United States dollars. Situated at Age in Ekeremer Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the foundation laying ceremony of the refinery was performed by President Olusegun Obasanjo on October 19, 2002. This was confirmed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tonwei Refinery Limited, Prince Timi George Tongubor in an interview with THISDAY in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagua. Tongubor who stated that it took him 15 years to see his dream come true emphasised that he "absolutely trust God for the provision of the funds "required to complete the refinery according to schedule. He said that his major aim of establishing the refinery instead of spending his money in overseas was to ensure the empowerment of his people, especially the youths. According to him, the provision of employment opportunities at all the stages of the refinery construction would drastically address the youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region. He disclosed that the least paid worker in the Tonwei Refinery Limited would earn 30,000 naira per month, pointing out that unskilled youths in the region would be trained to acquire the necessary skills and expertise. Tongubor who has been living in France for years, observed that the youths in the Niger Delta region often resort to violence because they lacked direction ROM the elders and the political class. He expressed his determination to work with the present administration at the state and federal levels to compliments policies and programs geared towards uplifting the people living standard. He called on the state government to ensure that the certificate of occupancy for the land required for the project is issued without further delay. The refinery boss expressed fears that if the certificate of occupancy meant for the land was not issued on time, it would disrupt the schedule of activities meant to execute the refinery project. Prince Tongubor revealed that survey, design and clearing of the refinery will be completed before the end of this month. According to him, the contracts for the survey, design and clearing of the refinery site have been awarded and the contractors mobilized to site. He, however did not disclosed the value of the contracts, even as he maintained that he had suffered so much to get the project to its present level and "cannot afford to fail" He stated that he was frustrated at several quarters but that it was only God who saw him through at every stage.

Reference: http://allafrica.com/stories/200211140260.html

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