The former President said Governor Seriake Dickson had not only transformed the landscape of the state but had made the once volatile Bayelsa State to be relatively peaceful, stable and secure.
He called on other governors to borrow a leaf from Dickson.
Obasanjo stated this on Saturday at the groundbreaking ceremony of the privately-owned refinery project (Azikel Refinery), at Obunugha, in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state where the former president was also the special guest of honour.
Obasanjo and the Bayelsa State Governor, Dickson also used the occasion to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for granting Modular Refinery Licences to companies owned by Nigerians one of which was Azikel group owned by a Bayelsan, Dr. Azibapu Eruani.
A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Chief Obasanjo as saying that the facility, when operational in 2019, would add value to the economy in terms of job creation and availability of petroleum products.
The former president who applauded the Group President of Aziikel Refinery, Eruani for taking a bold step in the establishment of the project, expressed optimism that the initiative would herald more of such investments in the country.
Chief Obasanjo also urged the technical partners of the Azikel Refinery to be good ambassadors in changing the stereotypes concerning insecurity in the Niger Delta and the country, as Bayelsa remains one of the peaceful states in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Governor Seriake Dickson expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for granting licence to the Azikel Group for the modular refinery.
He however urged the Federal Government to encourage the springing up of more of such businesses in the state and the Niger Delta where the feedstock is readily available.
Governor Dickson used the occasion to sign and present two Certificates of Occupancy to Azikel Group for the Refinery and Power projects, noting that his administration would continually create the enabling environment for investments to thrive.
Emphasising the need for deliberate policies to ensure the inclusion of the people of the Niger Delta in tje oil and gas industry, the Governor restated his call on the multinational oil companies to relocate to their areas of operation.
The Ibenanaowei of Gbarain Kingdom, King Funpere Akah, lauded the Azikel Group for setting up the project in his domain and assured the company of community support to ensure the success of refinery project.
Responding, the president of Azikel Group, Dr. Azibapu Godless Eruani, said the project is a 12,000 barrel per stream day hydro-skimming refinery.
Dr. Eruani noted that Azikel refinery would be the first conversion Greenfield refinery built in Nigeria since the mid 70s, adding that it would enjoy operational advantages in the competitive oil sector.
Former President Obasanjo also commissioned the 500 pond aquaculture village, at Yenegwe.
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