The Senate has called for the conversion of abandoned Shell Airstrip into Air Force Base says upgrading the abandoned Airstrip to an Air Force Base will bring renewed hope to the people, restore life to the area and attract many benefits to the country.
The Senate notes that the Shell Airstrip constructed in 1958 following the first discovery of crude oil in 1956, sitting on over 25 hecters of land situated at Itokopiri bush hosting the famous Oloibiri Oil well 1 in Otuogidi Community has long been abandoned.
Also notes that the Airstrip while in effective operation was a very valuable asset in the company’s oil exploration and exploitation activities in airlifting of
personnel and equipment to Oloibiri at that time.
Observes that during the years of its functionality, heavy duty equipment, Company Workers, Captains of Industry, top Government functionaries and Diplomats resorted to this route for easy access to the Niger Delta region.
Regrets that since the gradual decline of Shell’s operations in the area and final departure from Oloibiri oil field, the Airstrip and the land where it operated have been abandoned and left desolate. The land itself appears to have been sentenced to perpetual condemnation as no agricultural activity which is the economic mainstay of the local dwellers can be carried out anymore due to the
concretized topography of the soil.
Worried that this experience poses environmental challenges and serious ecological complications to the Host Community as Shell has left the people in deprivation, squalor and lamentation after decades of operation.
Believes that upgrading the abandoned Airstrip to an Airforce Base will bring renewed hope to the people, restore life to the area and attract the following benefits to the country;
i.Strengthen the Security architecture of Nigeria as the Creeks of Bayelsa up to Brass Island and the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of
Guinea where the Oil Export terminal is located will be easily monitored and protected.
ii.Reduce the rate of Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism as it will enhance surveillance activities in the numerous oil producing and impacted communities of the area which constitute the hub of oil industry activities in Nigeria.
iii. Attract more business opportunities in the area thereby creating additional jobs to boost the economic growth of our nation and ease the cost of
living of the people.
Recognizes the fact that for the abandoned Airstrip to be transformed into an Airforce Base of global standard, provision of the underlisted prerequisite amenities and equipment is imperative;
i. Arunway measuring 2,500metres by 45 metres.
ii. A (PCN) or Load Classification No (LCN) 100.
iii. a control tower with console.
iv. A fire station/equipment.
v. Ameteorological service system.
vi. parking space and office buildings.
Accordingly resolves to;
1. Urge the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Airforce to take over and convert the deserted and uncultivatable waste land of the abandoned Shell Airstrip at Oloibiri oil well 1, Otuogidi, to a modern Airforce Base in Bayelsa State.
2. Also urge Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and other Oil Companies, Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) as well as Niger Delta Development Commission