Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Friday approved the establishment of modular refineries in the state to create jobs for its teeming unemployed youths.

The governor announced the approval when Mr Isaac Wright, the Managing Director of Wright Global Group, and his team paid him a visit in Asaba.

Okowa said that establishing the refineries in the oil-rich riverine communities would place them close to source of their raw materials.

He said that apart from providing job opportunities for the people, the project would also make petroleum products available and affordable.

“Modular refineries will provide jobs for our people. It will bring job opportunities close to the people and also bring the product close to the people and to the market at a reasonable rate.

“We will support this partnership, especially with the fact that it will provide job for our people and you are providing the funding 100 per cent.

“It is our hope that everything works; the government of Nigeria is also supporting the establishment of modular refineries because that is the right way to go.”

He assured the investors of adequate security, adding that the state was largely peaceful.

The governor said that the state government was working hard to ensure that the youths were employed and to create an enabling environment for investors.

“We are investor-friendly people and we will give you the best of support we can give to you as a state government.”

Earlier, Wright said that his organisation would provide 100 per cent funding for the modular refineries.

He said that the organisation proposed to establish the refineries in Escravos and Koko communities in the state

Wright said that the refineries would be established at no cost to the government.

He said that the project, estimated to cost 400 million dollars (about N 78.8 billion), would be completed in a couple of years. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Okowa.