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The United State delegation that visited Port Harcourt listened carefully to a business case for the Niger Delta. The proposition dwelt around the Belema Model said to have so far recorded 100 percent success in eradication of pipeline vandalism and other forms of violence on oil assets in Oil Mining License 55 (OML-55). The oil field was sold to Belemaoil Nigeria Limited in June 2016 by an American company, Chevron, apparently due to deteriorating violence in the oil region.
The American delegation was led by the US Consul-General (CG) in Lagos, F.John Bray, who seemed impressed by the presentation by Jack-Rich Tein Jr. founder/president of Belemaoil. The CG however, pointed to persistent electoral violence soiling the image of the oil city and urged the political class to make a new case by allowing the 2019 elections to appear free, fair and peaceful. Only on this ground could the Consulate make a case for Port Harcourt.
The Belema founder had built his case for the oil region on the Belema Model that was launched in September 2017, which detailed a new working system that would make an oil host community to be partner (not observer any more) in developing and enjoying the wealth of an oil field. It is a model that would integrate the host communities in the deployment of about $10billion voted for operations in the oil region every year.
The Consular-General was primarily in Port Harcourt to flag off the training of 121 Nigerian budding entrepreneurs selected through vigorous screening processes to get the best business schemes. The training held at the IPS in the University of Port Harcourt. The CG then paid visits to strategic locations and listened to the business case made at Odili Road headquarters of the Belemaoil.
Belemaoil Producing Limited (BPL) is said to be Africa’s only community-owned oil company. It is indicated as a world-class indigenous but independent exploration and production (E&P) company operating in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria with a host of strong partners across the globe.
“We are a dynamic entrepreneurial organisation with a portfolio of world-class assets located in Nigeria. Our activities span the full-cycle E&P value chain of exploration, appraisal, and development through to production. Our success depends on our ability to deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders through a clear and consistent strategy which recognises that our responsibilities go beyond our operations,” the founder declared to an audience that included top managers and investors.
Tein Jr displayed several operational models and facilities that may make Belemaoil one of the fastest-growing oil giants in Nigeria with interests in refining, gas, marketing and other oil-related ventures. Belemaoil produces 12,000 bpd from OML 55 at the moment while also eyeing other oil fields that are up for grabs as well as exploring for virgin fields with huge gas reserves.
The Belema Model shows intricate designs and schemes to integrate the oil host communities in oil operations as a way to restore the once-cherished love and trust between the oil industry and host communities. The founder said the presence of the US in Port Harcourt would simply complete the rebuilding process and cause a mass return of investors to the Garden City, the acclaimed hub of the Gulf of Guinea.
Explaining the model for peace and prosperity in the Niger Delta so as to make case for US presence in the oil region, the founder talked about creating wealth both for the company and the communities. He pointed to the employment of 3,000 youths by Belemaoil from the communities; and award of 400 scholarships at once to indigenes with beneficiaries going home same day with their cheques.
He also talked about certified water from water projects to places that never saw good water in over 600 years of existence; roads built by US-made bulldozers; and the building of what he called the Technology Centre to groom technically sound youths.
On the medium and long term, the Belema president mentioned mouth-watering figures including 36,000 jobs to be created in three years and 60,000 in 10 years with plans to create $1.4billion value in over 240,000 homes.
To achieve this, he said Belema must increase value and production to 2000 percent in the next 10 years from the present 12,000 bpd from OML 55 acquired from Chevron in 2013. He added that the company would need to work with at least 240 vendors.
He talked about so far achieving 100 percent eradication of incidents related to pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage within operated OML 55. He said the model builds trust and confidence in operational areas, restoring the love that oil communities had for oil companies in years gone by. He called it; “Restoration of confidence, cooperation and partnership with host communities which guarantees economic activities, creates jobs, empowers our host communities and thereby occasioning peace and stability within the Niger Delta”.
He gave instances of Graduate Trainee Scheme that has so far over 100 graduates currently on training in different technical and engineering fields. He said the model would also protect and heal the environment, an issue kicking up the highest dust in the oil region.
He said that there was urgent need to rescue the oil city and save the bulging youth population to avoid political instability in Africa’s largest population. Tein Jr. said the US has much to do to help some few courageous investors like Belemaoil pumping huge funds to prove that Port Harcourt can rise again.
Placing a definite appeal, the oil magnet said: “We cannot do it alone. We appeal to the US to establish presence here in the form of Business Liaison Centre in Port Harcourt. BPL appeals to the US Commercial Department to establish a Business Liaison Office (BLO) in Port-Harcourt to foster strategic economic growth. The establishment of such an office would effectively coordinate the US-Commercial Department activities within the Niger-Delta.
“Port-Harcourt is West Africa’s economic hub for oil and gas investment which operates over 85 percent of Nigeria’s economy. The city is also the heart of the Niger-Delta, which is Nigeria’s treasure base. Therefore, such US Commercial presence will greatly foster economic and diplomatic cohesion,” he said.
On why collaboration with the US Commercial Department was critical, Tein Jr said it would strengthen existing relationship with the United State and create more value for mutual benefits. He said these would be through “Collaboration in such areas as trainings and workshops, yearly attendance of OTC conference, etc, technical partnerships, procurement of equipment, materials and spare parts, acquisition of state-of-the-art technology support home economy, etc, other bilateral relationships with the Rivers State and the Federal Government.”
The Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Nancy Nwankwo, who added a push, described the founder of Belemaoil as a highly respected investor who garnished his business process with high dose of philanthropy. “He is very passionate for local communities. He has done so well in the state,” Nwankwo said.
She further said that Governor Nyesom Wike had so far done so much in the area of security and infrastructure to boost investments.
“The region was neglected for long and it was about importation of contractors and marginalisation of the local people. Rivers State is a business hub, blessed with so much in terms of assets and natural resources. Our hands are open for investors,” she said.
In his response, the Consul-General, Bray, urged the people and government of Rivers State to work on the image of the state in terms of security to attract businesses. He regretted that the state tended to post the worst electoral violence image during the 2015 elections (which went into endless re-runs and court disputes with more violence each time).
He hinged any attempt to consider the plea of the business group and the state government on posting a positive image of free, fair and peaceful elections next year.
Bray said: “I can feel the enthusiasm to boost the economy of Rivers State. I spoke with the governor yesterday and I could feel the strong push for investments in Port Harcourt. The issue is, how do we reduce security issues so as to convince foreign investors into the place?”
He commended Tein of Belemaoil thus: “We can see you are lifting a candle for others to see the way and to follow”.
The founder had earlier led the US Commercial Department officials to new site for facilities under construction at the end of Odili Road where a jetty is also being built.
Tein Jr also led the CG and his team to the seat of power in Port Harcourt where Gov Nyesom Wike made further calls for cementing US/Rivers relationships and for collaborations. It is expected that the ground rules have been laid by the visit of the CG’s team to Rivers State and that the outcome of the 2019 elections would decide any further outcome. The ball is now in the court of the two rival political parties to allow the return of investors to the headquarters of the Gulf of Guinea.
Ignatius Chukwu
