Nigeria: Reps Urge Govt to Address Shoreline Erosion, Save Industrial Project in Bayelsa

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Leadership report by James Kwen, says Nigeria’s House of Representatives has asked the federal government to intervene against shoreline erosion affecting the Eraskorp Industrial Park in Gbarain, Bayelsa State. The call followed the adoption of an urgent public importance motion sponsored by Hon. Oforji Oboku during plenary on 21 July 2026.

According to the report, Oboku told lawmakers that the erosion is endangering the Eraskon Lubricants/Chemicals Blending Plant Project, a private-sector petrochemical investment within the industrial park. He described the project as intended to support local manufacturing, reduce reliance on imported lubricants and chemical products, and fit into Nigeria’s broader industrialisation and economic diversification goals.

The facility was described as including a 128,000-litre-per-day lubricants and chemicals blending plant, with planned output including engine oils, hydraulic oils, brake fluids, radiator coolants, gear oils, industrial and marine lubricants, and related products. The project also includes an aerosol plant and a carton manufacturing plant. Oboku said the development had made substantial progress before the erosion damage, with equipment procured and several structures at advanced stages; he said it could create more than 200 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs when completed.

The House urged the federal government to direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to use the Ecological Fund for shoreline protection and erosion control in the area. It also asked the House Committee on Ecological Fund to help follow up on the resolutions and report back within six weeks.