As part of the determination of the Rivers State Government in driving steady industrial growth, it has consummated a gas supply Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the distribution of gas to industries in the Greater Port Harcourt area and its environs with Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG).
Details show that the deal came with broad terms and conditions to guide co-operation between the two parties in the development of new gas distribution opportunities in the greater Port Harcourt area and its environs in addition to its existing gas distribution network in the state.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Richard Hart, who signed for the government, explained that the agreement was key in the efforts of the government to boost industrialisation in the state
He averred that “We believe that the agreed terms in the MoU will lead to the signing of the “Build-Operate-Own-and Transfer” (BOOT) agreement early next year so businesses can begin to reap the benefits of a steady source of energy.”
In his remarks, SNG Managing Director, Ed Ubong, who signed for Shell said the partnership was an opportunity to further promote gas as a more reliable, cleaner and cost-effective alternative to liquid fuels in the Niger Delta.
According to him, “Gas is the key to boosting industrialisation. It is no coincidence that states that currently do well on internal revenue generation have also encouraged the use of gas to boost industrial output, which in turn provides employment and improved livelihood.
“SNG is grateful to the Rivers State Government for the foresight and co-operation in the signing of the MoU and will reciprocate the gesture by taking every step to fulfill its obligations in the agreement.”
In his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony, Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, reiterated the leadership role of Shell in the domestic gas market and revealed that “For more than 50 years, Shell has been in the forefront of the campaign to develop and monetise Nigeria’s huge resources and it is good to see SNG continuing in the tradition to grow the domestic gas market and also help to improve lives and earnings in Rivers State.”
Shell had been in the forefront of driving gas-to-power innovation in parts of the country to deepen industrial revolution.
