Shell expends N6.3 billion on developmental projects in Niger Delta
By Taiwo Hassan
SHELL Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/SPDC Joint Venture (JV), said at the weekend that about N6.3 billion had been spent on various developmental projects in its area of operations in the last two years.
A statement made available to The Guardian and signed by the company's Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo, said, the projects were carried out under the firm's Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) initiative.
He said that out of the total amount, about N1.84 billion was spent to fund five cluster projects in Bayelsa State.
Okonedo also said that SPDC has jointly commissioned 12 different development projects in Nembe community in Bayelsa State.
According to him, the projects cost N215 million, and were executed by the community under the GMoU.
SPDC Joint Venture provided the funds, while the community implemented the projects through the Community Development Board (CDB).
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, commended the peaceful atmosphere that engendered execution of the projects.
The Amayanabo of Nembe, Mingi XII, Dr. Edmund Daukoru said: "This is a great day in our community. The GMoU process has delivered projects which will impact directly on the welfare of the people and we commend SPDC for the initiative."
SPDC's Manager, Central Engineering, Mr. Bayo Olarewaju-Alo, said: "The GMoU takes our contributions to the development of the Niger Delta one step further. It enables communities to take direct charge of their own development. This is what Nembe community, others in the Niger Delta have done under the GMoU concept, and we look forward to continuing to support them."
In his remarks, CDB Chairman, Chief Howells Young-Dede said: "The GMoU has enabled us to select and implement projects using local labour. We are grateful to SPDC for the GMoU scheme. We are appealing to oil producing companies to emulate the SPDC GMoU model in Bayelsa State."
The projects included marine and land transport schemes, water, fishing, co-operatives, and a micro-credit facility, in which 500 women have benefited. The Community Development Board commenced implementation of the projects in May this year, awarding and supervising contracts and making payments.
SPDC Joint Venture is also working with the CBD to provide electricity for Nembe by the end of the year.
SPDC Joint Venture introduced GMoUs late 2006, as part of efforts to build transparent relationships and development partnerships through five-year agreements with clusters of communities.
So far, 15 agreements have been implemented cutting across Bayelsa and Rivers states. Delta State is expected to join in 2010.
In 2008, a total of 105 projects were completed through the GMoUs, and from January to October 2009, over 80 others have been undertaken.
