The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to urgently rescue the Eraskon Industrial Park in Bayelsa State from devastating shoreline erosion, warning that over 1,200 potential jobs could be lost if immediate action is not taken.
The lawmakers said the environmental threat could also cripple a strategic indigenous investment in Nigeria’s petrochemical sector and undermine efforts to boost local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported lubricants and chemical products.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Oboku Oforji, who alerted the House to the worsening shoreline erosion at the Eraskon Lubricants/Chemicals Blending Plant Project located in Gbarain, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Presenting the motion, Oforji described the project as one of Nigeria’s major indigenous industrial investments, established to strengthen local production of lubricants and chemical products while supporting the country’s industrialisation and economic diversification drive.
He said the facility comprises a 128,000-litre-per-day lubricants and chemicals blending plant capable of producing engine oils, hydraulic oils, brake fluids, radiator coolants, fuel injection cleaners, gear oils, industrial lubricants, marine lubricants and synthetic lubricants.
According to him, the industrial complex also houses an aerosol manufacturing plant and a carton production factory.
The lawmaker lamented that although the project had made significant progress, shoreline erosion has continued to destroy critical infrastructure, threatening its completion.
He disclosed that the Integrated Manufacturing Complex (IMC), which had reached about 75 per cent completion, had to be dismantled after erosion destroyed its foundation and shoreline protection structures.
Oforji further told lawmakers that major equipment for the plant had already been procured and delivered to the site, while roofing works had reached about 40 per cent and construction of the base oil storage tanks stood at about 70 per cent before the environmental damage escalated.
He warned that abandoning the project would not only waste billions already invested but also deny Nigeria the economic benefits expected from the facility.
According to him, the project is expected to create over 200 direct jobs and more than 1,000 indirect employment opportunities, stimulate economic activities, increase government revenue and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“The project will strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base by reducing dependence on imported lubricants and chemical products while expanding local manufacturing capacity,” Oforji said.
Following deliberations, the House urged the Federal Government to direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to release funds from the Ecological Fund for shoreline protection and erosion control at the Eraskon Industrial Park and surrounding communities.
The lawmakers noted that such intervention would prevent further environmental degradation, safeguard the investment and enable the completion of the project for the benefit of the country’s economy.
They also cited Sections 14(2)(b) and 16 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandate government to promote national prosperity, encourage industrial development and protect investments capable of driving economic growth.
The House further mandated its Committee on Ecological Fund to monitor the implementation of the resolution and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
