Shell still in Delta State, operating JV, delivering social investments via GMoU—Weli
Contrary to the belief in some quarters that the multinational energy firm, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), operator of the SPDC Joint Venture, has pulled out of Delta State, the International Oil Company (IOC) is still on ground in the state with investments running into billions of dollars.
Explaining more during the presentation of the company’s 2018 Briefing Notes to journalists in Warri recently, SPDC’s general manager External Relations, Igo Weli, said the company’s footprints in Delta State are rising on a daily basis, noting that it recently implemented wide range of projects in different parts of the state, including the disbursement of N1.88 billion to Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) clusters in host communities.
Besides, there is the establishment of a Professorial Chair at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE).
Also, Shell recently donated N600 million facilities to five schools under a Youth Sports and Athletics Development Project (YSADP,) to mark Nigeria’s centenary anniversary.
Weli, represented by the company’s Head of Community Interface, Evans Krukrubo, averred that “These projects show our continuous presence and interest in the development of Delta State,” noting that “While it is true that SPDC divested from a number of assets in Delta State in line with our business strategy, and in support of the participation of more Nigerian companies in the oil and gas industry, we are still active in the state”.
“For example, SPDC is operating Forcados Terminal, flow stations, gas plants and a network of pipelines. There is no better way to relay this message than undertaking projects and initiatives that are helping to rebuild lives and communities in the state.”
Weli recalled that the GMoU funding covers the three clusters currently active in Delta State since the inception of the concept in 2006. The Cluster Development Boards (CDBs) like their counterparts in other parts of the Niger Delta, are implementing health and educational projects among others.
Business Hilights gathered that the centenary project in Delta State which was inaugurated this month includes the development of an athletic curriculum by Africare, an international NGO, using the American National Collegiate Athletic Association standards, the provision of facilities for long/triple jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, discus and hammer throw in five schools as well as the construction of a 400m six-lane rubberised track at Government College, Ughelli. These facilities have been installed at the highest standards.
A key component of the project was the inclusion of 283 athletic and leadership training sessions, academic performance tracking and mentoring. A total of 150 students from across the five project schools benefitted from the leadership programme. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa had said that the project marked a major turning point in the lives of students and communities in Delta State.
