The Brass Free Zone in Bayelsa State is on course to become a major petrochemical hub with the take-off of the $3.5 billion Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company project, scheduled to commence in October 2025.
The project, designed to produce 10,000 metric tonnes of methanol daily, is expected to generate far-reaching economic benefits — including 15,000 jobs during construction, 5,000 permanent jobs, higher tax revenues, and opportunities for local SMEs.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, however, has demanded an equity stake, citing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which he said unfairly sidelines oil-producing states and host communities from partnerships and benefits. He urged the company to work closely with the state to avoid disputes.
“I hope this project will be different. Partnering with the state government is key to correcting the imbalance and preventing conflict in host communities,” Diri said, while commending President Bola Tinubu for reviving the long-delayed initiative first conceptualised in 2009.
Managing Director of the company, Chief Ben Okoye, said delays had stemmed from gas supply disagreements, but with presidential intervention and an agreement signed earlier this year, “all is now set for full implementation.” He added that the recently constructed Nembe-Brass road by the Bayelsa government will cut the firm’s logistics costs by up to $100,000.
Beyond job creation, the project will deliver critical infrastructure — including a port, jetty, logistics base, and a 300MW gas-fired power plant — cementing Brass Free Zone’s position as a regional industrial powerhouse.
“This project is a game-changer,” Okoye assured. “It will not only industrialise Bayelsa but also position Nigeria as a global player in the petrochemical sector.”
