(Ecofin Agency) - As part of efforts to increase the distribution of fuel in Nigeria, Delmar Petroleum Company Limited has begun the construction of a $200 million terminal and jetty situated at Itak Idim Nne Ekpe, Ibeno Local Council Area of Akwa Ibom State.

According to the Chairman and Group Managing Director of Delmar Group of companies, Austin Atimoh Odili, the petroleum Terminal and Jetty includes the development of a 700,000 cbm petroleum products terminal, expected to sustain the supply of petroleum products all through the country.“The Delmar terminal project located at Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State involves the development of a 700,000 cbm petroleum products terminal. This world-class terminal, estimated to gulp about $200 million is proximal to Ibom Deep Sea Port, the Exxon Mobil’s Qua Ibo Terminal and new proposed refineries will have access to the deep sea via a Conventional Buoy Mooring system for loading and discharging large capacity product tankers from 30kt to 100kt,” he said.

Odili added that the aim for the location of the terminal in Akwa Ibom was to promote the state’s position and unique logistics benefit within the Gulf of Guinea as well as service its customers in Nigeria and West/Central Africa. “Delmar Petroleum has storage facilities for coastal and inland petroleum products, as well as the necessary skills, assets and infrastructure for supplying and trading refined products across the world. Our clientele includes the major international oil and gas companies and major retail and consumer enterprises in Nigeria,” he told the Guardian news.

The Managing Director of Delmar Petroleum Company Limited, Pekun Tomori, revealed that when completed, the terminal will be one of the biggest terminals in Africa and help reduce long queues at filling stations.

Meanwhile, the Executive Governor of the State, Udom Emmanuel (photo), has applauded the company for the choice of Akwa Ibom State. He disclosed that negotiations has commenced with other stakeholders as to how to work together to achieve the objectives of the project.

The Commissioner for Investment Commerce and Industry, Emmanuel Enoidem, has said that the project will provide jobs for 5000 people, especially women.

Anita Fatunji