1200 jobs in danger as erosion sacks plant

There is heightened panic at a community in a part of the Niger Delta following threats of erosion which is said to have sacked a multi-billion naira indigenous production plant.

As a result, the dream of generating about 1200 direct and indirect employment by an indigenous company at the Eraskorp Industrial Park, Gbarain, in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been cut short.

The company spearheaded construction work at the Eraskon Lubricant/Chemicals Blending Plant Project as a strategic private-sector driven industrial investment in 2020 as one of Nigeria’s most integrated manufacturing and production facilities.

Promoted by Maxwell Oko, a former commissioner for energy and one-time chairman of the central zone of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), the 128,000 -litre per day lubricant/chemicals blending plant was envisioned to produce various grades of engine oils, hydraulic oils, break fluids, radiator coolants, fuel injection cleaners, gear oils, industrial lubricants, marine lubricants and synthetic lubricants.

In March 2022, Goodluck Jonathan, a former Nigerian president, had performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction work, where he expressed the hope that the project would address the jobs deficit issue in the state and also open up the state for more investments.

But four years after, erosion menace has thwarted the dreams of the company, leading to huge financial losses and dashed hopes for the community youths and elders who had expected to benefit from job opportunities.

Oko conducted Oboku Oforji, the member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives round the erosion ravaged facility lamented that banks were on their neck for repayment of the loans taken for the project.

While conducting the lawmaker round, Oko said the project which sits on 45 hectares of land, which had reached 90% completion was to be commissioned in 2022, but was stalled by the erosion crisis.

The Erasko chairman recounted that a factory building which was over 85% done was completely submerged by the erosion and now threatening to destroy the twin 2 million litres storage tanks already erected.

Oko noted that the company had incurred a loss of over N500 bn which it would have made if the project had been completed four years ago, as envisaged.

“As you can see from my left, we have about 30 containers of our process equipment that we couldn’t install due to the erosion crisis that took out our steel sheet piles.

“The building that was already 85% completion stage, half roofed, was taken out. All the building piles taken out. We have to deroof the building and dismantle the entire steel structure as you can see from the far end behind you.”

On his part, Yeseibo Peremobowei, the paramount ruler of Obunagha, expressed discomfort over the havoc caused by the erosion.

The paramount called for immediate interruler who was also at the project site during the pleaded with the federal government to intervene and save the company from total collapse.

“We have been very happy and grateful to the company for citing this gigantic project in our territory, given the benefits that our people will enjoy upon its completion.

“But we are, however, sad that this huge investment is facing serious challenge of erosion.

“Both the federal and state governments should take urgent action to save this laudable project from destruction.”

Oforji expressed deep concern over the importance of the project and said it must not be allowed to be destroyed by erosion, and promised to draw the attention of the National Assembly to the situation.