The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to intervene urgently to save the Eraskon Lubricants/Chemicals Blending Plant project in Gbarain, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State from the devastating effects of shoreline erosion.

The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Oboku Oforji, who represents Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, seeking immediate government action to protect the multi-billion-naira industrial investment from further environmental degradation.

Moving the motion, Oforji said the Eraskon Lubricants/Chemicals Blending Plant, located within the Eraskorp Industrial Park, is an indigenous private-sector investment in Nigeria’s petrochemical industry established to promote local manufacturing, reduce dependence on imported lubricants and chemical products, and support the country’s industrialisation and economic diversification agenda.

He explained that the facility comprises a lubricant and chemical blending plant with a production capacity of 128,000 litres per day, producing various grades of engine oils, hydraulic oils, brake fluids, radiator coolants, fuel injection cleaners, gear oils, industrial lubricants, marine lubricants and synthetic lubricants.

The project also includes an aerosol manufacturing plant and a carton manufacturing plant.

According to him, the project had recorded significant progress before shoreline erosion struck, with major equipment already procured and key infrastructure at advanced stages of completion.

The lawmaker, however, lamented that severe shoreline erosion had caused extensive damage to the project site, delaying its completion and threatening the viability of what he described as a strategic national investment.

He disclosed that the Integrated Manufacturing Complex (IMC), which was about 75 per cent completed, had to be dismantled after shoreline erosion exposed and destroyed its foundation piles as well as the shoreline protection sheet piles.

Oforji stated that all major processing equipment for the plant had already been procured and delivered to the site, while the IMC superstructure was 75 per cent completed, roofing works had reached 40 per cent completion, and the base oil storage tanks were about 70 per cent completed before construction was disrupted.

He noted that upon completion, the project is expected to create more than 200 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect employment opportunities, stimulate economic activities in Bayelsa State and beyond, boost the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), generate revenue and strengthen Nigeria’s local petrochemical manufacturing capacity.

The lawmaker argued that failure to protect the project would undermine Nigeria’s industrialisation drive and economic diversification efforts, noting that Sections 14(2)(b) and 16 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) mandate the government to promote national prosperity, encourage industrial development and safeguard investments that drive economic growth.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to utilise the Ecological Fund for shoreline protection and erosion control works at the Eraskorp Industrial Park and its environs in Gbarain to prevent further environmental degradation and safeguard the investment.

The House also mandated its Committee on Ecological Fund to facilitate the implementation of the resolution and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.