If those who have been exploring the oil and gas deposits in Bayelsa State were to adequately re-invest a good part of their gains into enriching the people and training the youths, poverty would have been very far from the state.
This inference was made on Friday by the chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, when he visited the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, where he also said as his company upscales investment in the state, youths would be employed and wealth rationally distributed.
Dangote’s visit to Bayelsa followed an earlier visit to him in Lagos, by Diri. The duo had discussed the possibility of a business relationship that would benefit the people and boost the state economy.
During the visit, Dangote and the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), covering oilfield and gas development, agro-allied processing, seaport and infrastructure.
The business mogul gave the indication that he was interested in Bayelsa State because of the leadership and peaceful atmosphere promoted by Diri.
He expressed delight that work at his gas pipeline project in the state had been smooth and commended the state government for the cooperation and described Bayelsa as naturally endowed and assured that his company will partner the state to create jobs and train youths.
He said: “As you know, when we met in Lagos, I promised to visit and today I am here to make sure that we partner, create jobs and train youths.
“You have no reason to complain about poverty because you have what it takes to make this state prosperous. The future of our group is now oil and gas.
“No foreign investor will come to our country if we do not lead the way. Our duty is not only to be in the field of oil and gas but also to encourage others. That is why I want to partner with Bayelsa to remove the fear of insecurity.
“We have the best of cooperation with all your officials on the Iseni project. It also shows your leadership style is paying off. So, I thank you and all your officials for ensuring that our project is going on smoothly.”
On the state’s economic potential, the Dangote Group chairman said developing the Agge Deep Seaport and the state’s gas potential would make Bayelsa prosperous.
“I am happy you mentioned the deep seaport. If you can have this with gas, Bayelsa will be the most prosperous state.
“On rice cultivation, we will work together and import very high-breed seeds. We will test the soil at our laboratory to be sure what kind of fertiliser to use.
“On infrastructure tax credit, you are right. But you will need to discuss with the President. Our company has over one trillion naira worth of infrastructure tax credit. Roads are built in record time. I think it will be good.”
Earlier, Douye Diri had praised Dangote for keeping to his promise to visit the state, saying it stood him out as a forthright businessman, adding that Bayelsa was not only rich in oil and gas but also in natural resources, some of which had been tapped while others were waiting to be harnessed.
His words: “This visit is divine even though we had earlier visited you in your factory. You said you were also going to reciprocate and today you have. That shows that you are a businessman who keeps his word.
“Bayelsa is known for its richness in oil and gas but beyond these, the state has abundance of natural resources. Some being tapped and some yet untapped.
“As you are aware, the world is moving away from oil to other renewable energy and gas. Bayelsa is the gas hub and there are so many areas you can collaborate with us.
“I want to propose the following areas. We are looking at expansion of your operations at Iseni. The state government is doing so much to maintain the peace. We have recently procured and installed CCTV cameras.
“We are also looking at the gas processing plant with the capability to supply neighbouring states. I again invite you to be part of this scheme.
“We want partnership in development of the Agge Deep Seaport. It will serve as a hub to a lot of states around us. We are looking at agro-allied processing, focusing on the food sector. The oil processing license owned by the state, nothing has been done about it.”
