By Adegbola Bayonle
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N117 billion for the construction of Oloibiri oil museum in Bayelsa.
The Minister of State for Petroleum resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, made this known when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the council meeting, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the proposed museum will also serve as a research centre to enhance academic activities.
“The Federal Executive Council today approved the award of the contract for the construction of the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre to Julius Berger PLC in the sum of N117 billion with a completion time frame of 30 months,” he said.
The Minister stated that the Museum was started in the early 80s by the late President Shehu Shagari, but could not be continued due to paucity of funds.
He, however, revealed that the Buhari administration had injected life into the project because of its importance.
On the recent emergence of queues at petrol stations across the country, the Minister accused some marketers of frustrating government’s efforts in making the product available to motorists.
“This is quite unfortunate and we are not happy at all with what is going on. Every hand is on deck to check the excesses of these marketers.
“At the moment today, there is supply but unfortunately we are experiencing some bottle necks in the distribution and movement of the product to various destinations.
“I want to assure you that everything is being done; the NNPC Ltd. and all other stakeholders are working hard to ensure that this problem is resolved.
“We have reports of profiteering by marketers and I have directed the pricing regulatory agency, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to sanction anybody who profiteers on this kind of situation.”
Also addressing the correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed that the council approved N721 million for the award of contract for the maintenance of the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.
“It will be for a period of 12 months and the sum of the contract is N721 million and the memorandum was approved,” he said.
While giving an update on the introduction of a national carrier for the country, Sirika said all arrangements had been concluded and the carrier would soon commence services.
“Nigeria Air will soon start flying. We have got the aircraft ready, they have been painted in their colours.
“We are now at stage five, which is Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issuance by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and once that is done, the airline will begin to fly,” he further revealed.