VENTURES AFRICA – Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan will launch crude oil production in Onitsha, Anambra State on Thursday in a move that will kick-start inland basin crude production in oil-rich West African nation.

Crude production will be controlled by Orient Petroleum Resource Plc, a private/public sector company established by the Anambra State Government for the exploration and refining of crude oil and gas in the Anambra Basin. The company has license for two oil blocks, OPL 915 and 916, covering an area of 2158 square kilometres.

In preparation for the crude oil production, Orient Petroleum (OPR) said it has completed a well, a 10km access road leading to the well location and an installed production facility for the production and evacuation of crude oil.

The company plans to drill some high capacity wells to guarantee crude oil feedback for the refinery.

Meanwhile to maintain an enhanced and harmonious relationship with the host communities, Orient Petroleum said it has devised a five point community relation strategy. These include well-paid jobs, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities, execution of development projects that would be chosen by the communities, enhancement of traditional occupation, board representation and regular communication.

“OPR had visited and continues to brief the governors of the states, the local government chairmen and the host communities on its activities, explaining how the project would impact positively on the states, LGAs and communities within the area of its operation,” a statement released for the inauguration stated.

President Jonathan will also be commissioning private industries at the Harbour Industrial Estate and the River Port in Onitsha. The industries include SABMiller Brewery, the second biggest brewery in Africa; Orange Drugs factory; and Krisoral Industry for the production of pilfer-proof caps and bottle corks owned by the indigenous firm, Krisoral Company Limited.

According to the MD of Krisoral Company Limited, Chief Oranu Chidume the inauguration of the company would translate to saving from huge foreign exchange spent on imported corks and bottle caps, an area which he said was hardly regulated by the government.