Belema Sweet Export Terminal: Positioning Kula as a Major Player in Global Oil Markets

The Belemaoil Joint Venture has unveiled the Belema Sweet Crude Export Terminal to stakeholders, host communities, and the general public. The project, which is to be located at Robertkiri, one of the production fields of OML-55 in Kula, Akukutoru Local Government Area of Rivers State, is expected to make a significant contribution to the Nigerian economy.

The Belema JV is a partnership between Belemaoil Producing Limited and Belema Sweet Export Terminal Limited. 

Welcoming guests to the event which took place at the Main Banquet Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, the Manager, External Relations and Corporate Affairs, Belemaoil Producing Limited, Barrister Samuel Abel-Jumbo, expressed his appreciation to the host communities and stakeholders for their support and assured them of the company’s commitment to sustainable development. He described the proposed Export Terminal as the driver of the future development of Kula Kingdom and enjoined the people to embrace and take full ownership of the project to ensure its success and sustainability and to attract even more investments.

In Declaring the Workshop open, Acting Managing Director, Belemaoil, Mr. Collins Amadi, described the project as evidence of the deep tooted relationship between Belemaoil and Kula Kingdom and the commitment of the Founder/President of Belemaoil Producing Ltd, Mr. Tein T. S. Jack-Rich, towards the sustainable growth and capacity development of the community. He enjoined the people to embrace and take ownership of the project and to see it a catalyst for their future development and progress.

The Belema Sweet Export Terminal has been designed to change the narrative and ensure there is effective utilization and increased value for owners of OML-55 & her Neighbourhood Assets (OML 18, 23, 24 & 25)  It is also expected to provide job opportunities for the locals and stimulate business activities in the area, in addition to providing training and development opportunities for the people in specialized fields of oil and gas development, thereby contributing to community development and capacity building.

From the construction, commissioning, and production phases, the Belema Sweet Crude Export Terminal shall be a canter of opportunities in creation of jobs, business, and community development. The project is expected to play a vital role in the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and to position Kula kingdom and its people on the world map.

The Belema Sweet Crude Export Terminal underscores the company’s commitment to the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. It is hoped that this project will inspire other oil and gas companies to invest in similar projects that will benefit the country and its people.

In his presentation, the project facilitator, Dr. Vincent Ajilo, CEO of Ajivin Nigeria Ltd,  said Belema Sweet Crude Export Terminal was inspired to mitigate over five million barrels oil lost to theft and meter inaccuracies spread from June, 2016 through April, 2022. He assured participants that the project will not only correct the losses but also place Kula on the global map as an Export Terminal.

In her remarks, Mrs. Asogwa Ngozi , Manager, Host Community Development, Nigerian Midstream And Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),  commended Belemaoil for taking the rights steps in identifying with the stakeholders and people of the community and inviting them to the unveiling and sensitization programme. She encouraged the company to ensure that every community affected by the project is equitably represented.

Dr. Mike B. Nwielaghi, Chairman (BOT) Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, Federal Ministry Of Environment. (HYPREP), commented on existing positive rappour and robust relationship existing between Belemaoil and its host community and expressed the commitment of the Ministry to ensuring the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for the Project shall be carried out in accordance with best practices and that all impacts are properly managed and mitigated.

Mr. Friday Ikomah  Barieenee, Controller, Federal Ministry Of Environment (Rivers Field Office), Delivering A Speech On Behalf Of The Ministry, described Belemaoil as a good corporate citizen subjecting itself to regulatory scrutiny overtime and whenever called upon. Nothing that the unveiling of the proposed Terminal is the first critical engagement and that the Federal Ministry of Environment will be glad to support the company all the way until the project is delivered to the Nigerian state.

Elder Statesman &  Chieftain Of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), His Highness Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe  described the project as a long awaited dream of the people and thanked God that it is finally becoming a reality. He called on the company to be committed to the environment and the sustainable development of the people.

His Majesty, King Bourdillon Ekine Oko the XXVII, Owner and Natural Ruler of Belema Community, in His Remarks described Belemaoil as the people company and its Founder/President as son of the land and thus gave his blessings and prayed for the success of the Project.

His Royal Highness, Sir Dr. Amabibi Kroma Eleki, Sara XIV, Amanyanabo of Kula Community, in his speech said “this is a project that will transform that Atlantic Island to become a global name, a name that will become known all over the world.” He called on the people to educate themselves, acquire skills to be knowledgeable enough to execute much more than 40% of the project. The King called on Belemaoil to make adequate provision for security to ensure the success of the project.

The Workshop was well attended by Traditional Rulers, community stakeholders, Women and youth groups.