SPDC Tasks Stakeholders To Condemn Crude Oil Saboteurs In Niger Delta Region

By Mattex Omonext, Delta

 

The Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC), has tasked stakeholders of the petroleum industry to outrightly condemn activities of crude oil saboteurs in the Niger Delta region.

 

Its general manager, external relations, Mr. Igo Weli, gave the charge Thursday, during the commissioning of 34 projects undertaken through the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) of Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster in Burutu council area of Delta state.

 

Weli stressed that pipeline vandalism and oil theft not only affect business negatively, but also pose threat to humans and the environment.

 

Represented by the Installation Manager Forcados Terminal, Engr. Arthur Owagbedia, he pointed out that having smooth operations will ensure more social investments such as the ones being commissioned, that will benefit its host communities.

 

Speaking on the GMoU, he lauded the Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board (OKCDB) for collaborating with the mentoring non-governmental organisation, Initiative for Community Development (ICD) and other stakeholders in realising the projects and programmes, adding that they will promote the development of infrastructure and human capital beneficial to the communities of the cluster.

 

“I therefore urge our host communities to continue to create an enabling environment for the sustenance of business. It is important to realise that it is only when businesses in your environment thrive that we can undertake more social investment initiatives.

 

“SPDC JV desires that this cluster thrives, full of rich and varied projects, programmes and businesses designed to address the needs of the community.

 

” If Ogulagha kingdom continues to promote peace, safety and growth among themselves and support SPDC JVs sustained uninterrupted production there will be many more social investment projects and programmes that will benefit the people.

 

“I also encourage all stakeholders to speak up against sabotage of facilities because willful damage of company assets, like pipelines, is a criminal act that sadly also has far-reaching negative implication for the people and environment.

 

“Sabotage to facilities harms the environment and is also unsafe for those undertaking this dangerous activity. We must speak up against crude oil, vandalism and the attendant damage to our environment,” Weli stated.

 

On his part, the governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, called on oil operating firms to effect more development for their host communities, even as his administration strives to ensure an enabling environment for investors.

 

Okowa who was represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba further highlighted the essence of the GMoU, stating that “it gives equal negotiation opportunity to all stakeholder by eliminating issues of distrust, disharmony and conflict in our host communities”.

 

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board (OKCDB), Chief Linus Yeinanagbegha, expressed gratitude to the SPDC JV for the introduction of the GMoU in the kingdom, as well as awarding scholarships to some students, outside the regular post-primary scholarship programme.

 

He disclosed that the OKCDB was inaugurated in 2015, but funding started in 2016, after which the board embarked on the projects.

 

The 34 completed projects inaugurated include the renovation of Obotobo 1 Community Town Hall, construction of Obotobo 1 Community Bridge, construction of Obotobo 2 community Corps members lodge, award of 272 scholarships, vocational skill training program for 101 youths/women, among others.