By Mordi chukwunonso Esther 

Youths from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have expressed hope for  job opportunities ahead of oil production in OML83 and OML85 by First Exploration and Production.

The youths, mainly from Koluama communities, also commended First E&P for the successful development of Oil Mining Leases 83 and 85, to production start up.

Youth Leader of Koluama, Mr Leghemo Ebrasin, expressed optimism that the anticipated upsurge in project activities would create jobs for them, as they have a pool of skilled youths in specialised oil and gas vocations.

Ebrasin said the feat  by the indegenous oil firm indicated that the Nigerian Content policy of the Federal Government was yielding results.

He explained that already, the youths have formed a cooperative to drive youth empowerment schemes as well as developed a database of unemployed youths to enable matching of skills and job opportunities.

“The successful development of these two oil blocks will unlock the economic potentials in Bayelsa coastline settlements and hopefully attract development of social amenities as well.

“Our Rural Development Foundation is well positioned to harness the opportunities that will be coming to us under the operational areas employment quota and funds for community development projects.”

In 2015, Chevron Nigeria Limited divested its stakes in OML83 and OML85 to First E&P, an indigenous firm who now operate the assets located off Bayelsa coastline.