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Shell Inaugurates N.2bn Projects In Abia …As Communities Give Firm Knocks
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has inaugurated 15 Corporate Social Responsibility projects worth over N200million located in 13 autonomous communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The sustainable development projects were executed by the Ukwa West Cluster Development Board (CDB) under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) driven by SPDC in Etitioha, Isi-Etitioha, Igiriukwu, Ipu West, Uzuaku, Umuorie, Umuahala, Umuokwor, Isi Obehie, Isi Nteke, Okohia, Umuelechi, and Umunteke.
The projects and programmes include installation of 2km low voltage distribution network at Igiriukwu; installation of solar power borehole water scheme and construction of convenience facility at the market square at Umuelechi; installation of low 500KVA transformer and 2km electricity extension line with 50 street lights at Uzuaka; and procurement of Toyota Hiace bus for Etitioha Transport Scheme for Etitioha community.
Others include award of undergraduate scholarships to indigenes of Isi-Etitioha; construction of 48 open market stalls, convenience building and solar powered water scheme at Igiriukwu; installation of one 500KVA Transformer for HV Transmission and LV Transmission Lines at Igiriukwu; rehabilitation of water scheme at Umuahala; installation of 2.5km HV Transmission Line from Omuma Junction to Azanmogo at Igiriukwu; construction of 12 open stalls at Umuelechi market; and construction of 100-capacity town hall at Isi Nteke.
Speaking during the ceremony at Owaza, headquarters of Ukwa West, last Thursday, SPDC General Manager, External Relations, Mr Igo Weli stated that this was the first time the company was bringing together communities in Ukwa West to collectively execute and take delivery of sustainable development projects as key testimony of the SPDC GMoU success story in the Niger Delta, explaining that the model places ownership of development projects in the hands of the communities.
Weli who was represented by Dr Chibuzor Anyim, commended the wisdom of members of the CDB in the selection of the projects, including undergraduate scholarship programme; power supply improvement; construction of market stalls; sanitation; water and town hall, among others, adding that the projects were pillars of building blocks for sustainable growth and development in the area.
While noting that the GMoU model, introduced by SPDC in 2007, has spread to 37 active clusters, with only one in Abia State, Weli enjoined the people of the area to sustain the peace which enabled the delivery of the projects to the communities.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum in Abia State, Mr Anthony Ojinji, commended SPDC for the GMoU and projects in host communities.
He said the Abia State Government expects SPDC to capture more communities hosting oil facilities in the next GMoU expected to take off in 2018, and urged the benefiting communities to protect the facilities and ensure peaceful environment for businesses to thrive.
On his part, the Chairman, Community Cluster Development Board, Comrade Martins Noah lauded SPDC for delivering on its commitment to the communities, including the addition of surveillance contracts to the GMoU, and pledged the readiness of CDB members to ensure that pipeline vandalism was reduced to its barest minimum in the area.
Also speaking, Secretary of the Asa Development Union, Dr Gabriel Ikechi Ajuzieogu stated that although SPDC has done well for the communities, but regretted that the value of the projects was not commensurate with what the company has gained from the area over the last 60 years.
In his remarks, Chairman, Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Chief Samuel Okezie Nwogu, while agreeing with Ajuzieogu’s position, called for prudent management of funds accruing to the CDB and host communities.
Nwogu, who also doubled as the representative of the Abia State Governor, Chief Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, however, thanked SPDC for delivering the projects that would improve the living conditions of the people, thereby reducing pipeline vandalism and other negative vices in the area.
He disclosed that the Abia State Government would soon establish a firm to provide security cover for oil pipelines in Imo River area, saying that the initiative would create over 200 job opportunities for the youth and help reduce the spate of criminality, including pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the area.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new members to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement yesterday, said the appointment is to fill existing vacancies and strengthen the board’s capacity.
The statement said the approved nominees are Mr. Olusegun Omosehin of the National Insurance Commission and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.
Tinubu also endorsed the nomination of Sam Onyechi, who represents the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum and Barrister Owei Oyanbo from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The President encouraged the new members to leverage their expertise and dedication to enhance local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It added, “The nominations arose from the exit of previous institutional representatives from the Governing Council.
“The NCDMB Governing Council, established under Section 69 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, comprises representatives from key institutions.
“These include the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, and the National Insurance Commission.”
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to construct additional hostels, rehabilitate roads, and enhance power supply in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday by a delegation from the UNIPORT’s Governing Council.
Ogbuku stated that the NDDC had committed to upgrading facilities at UNIPORT as part of efforts to foster partnership with educational institutions across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the implementation of additional projects at the university forms part of a broader strategy to improve education standards in the region.
“Aside from the construction of new hostel blocks and installation of a 300 KVA solar inverter system, the NDDC will also facilitate more projects in the university.
“The commission will also deploy its engineers to assess the condition of UNIPORT’s roads and hostels for potential rehabilitation,” he said.
Ogbuku noted that upon completion, the projects would add to various initiatives previously undertaken by the commission at the university.
“These and other projects reflect our commitment to actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region,” he added.
He reaffirmed the NDDC’s dedication to fostering development and strengthening partnerships across the region.
Earlier, Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa, Chairman of UNIPORT’s Governing Council, who led the delegation commended the current leadership of the NDDC for its achievements in accelerating development in the Niger Delta.
He highlighted the university’s infrastructural challenges, noting that it lacked adequate facilities to accommodate its growing student population, and appealed for the NDDC’s support in addressing the shortfall.
“Currently, UNIPORT has a total student population of about 50,000, while its hostel accommodation capacity can only cater for 5,000 students.
“We therefore urge the NDDC to assist in the construction of additional hostels, improve transportation facilities, and facilitate the acquisition of gas turbines to enhance power supply for our students,” Ohuanbunwa pleaded.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NDDC for its impactful projects across the Niger Delta and extended an invitation to the commission to participate in the institution’s forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.
Nwosu presided over the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was truncated by the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
The election which was won by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, was adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the electoral history of Nigeria.
The motion to rename INEC after Nwosu was re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe yesterday after lawmakers threw it out last Wednesday.
Abaribe called for posthumous national honours to be conferred on Nwosu in recognition of his role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
However, the proposal sparked a heated debate once again, with lawmakers deeply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged that Nwosu operated under a military regime, which restricted his ability to announce the results.
He argued that “there was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head. That doesn’t change the fact that some of us see him as a hero.”
Senator Austin Akobundu, however, described it as most uncharitable for lawmakers to dismiss Nwosu’s contributions, insisting that he deserved a place in Nigeria’s hall of honour.
On the other hand, several senators like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed the idea outright, questioning why the Senate should honour someone who failed to announce the results insisting that “nothing should be named after him”.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi argued that history does not reward efforts, but only results.
“As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him,” he submitted.
Also, Senator Sunday Karimi criticised Nwosu for lacking the courage to speak out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that immortalising him would undermine the memory of MKO Abiola, the widely accepted winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled election.
“Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” he tendered.
After intense deliberation, most senators rejected the motion through a voice vote.
They, however, agreed to honour him with a one-minute silence and extend condolences to his family, effectively dismissing the other prayers to immortalise Nwosu.