Minister Heineken Lokpobiri Slams Prolonged Abandonment of Brass Refinery Project, Vows to Revitalize Key Infrastructure in Bayelsa
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has strongly condemned the prolonged neglect of the Brass Modern Refinery project in Bayelsa State, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
During an inspection visit to the Brass Local Government Area, Lokpobiri expressed frustration over the stalled project and underscored the urgent need for its revitalization.
Lokpobiri also toured the Ewa-Ama road project, which leads to the Brass Petroleum Products Terminal, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerating vital oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
“It is unacceptable that such a strategic project has been left in this state for so long,” Lokpobiri stated. “The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that critical infrastructure, like the Brass Refinery, is completed, to create jobs and drive economic growth in the region.”
A statement from Nneamaka Okafor, the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister, assured that the administration is determined to complete these projects within President Bola Tinubu’s first two years in office.
Accompanied by Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Lokpobiri emphasized that completing these projects aligns with President Tinubu’s mandate to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Beyond infrastructure, Lokpobiri engaged with local community leaders, praising their patience and peaceful approach despite the project’s delays. “I sincerely commend the people of Brass for their patience and cooperation,” he said. “Your support is invaluable, and I assure you that we will work tirelessly to address these issues and bring this project to completion.”
A community representative welcomed the minister’s visit, calling it a significant step in rebuilding trust in the government’s commitment to the region. “We appreciate Senator Lokpobiri’s visit and his assurance that this project will receive due attention,” the representative said. “We are hopeful that his intervention will lead to tangible progress.”
Lokpobiri also urged the community to maintain peace, emphasizing that stability is essential for attracting investment and fostering regional development.
He reiterated the government’s dedication to creating economic opportunities for Brass and the wider Niger Delta region.
