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Lawmaker, PETAN Hail Shell On Content Dev
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Honourable Asita, says is now convinced that Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) is the leading oil and gas multinational company in the implementation of the Nigerian Content Development in the industry.
Hon Asita, who is the chairman, House Committee on Nigerian Content Development, gave the endorsement at the official opening of the two-day 2012 Nigerian Content Day, organized by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), in Port Harcourt last Tuesday.
Saying that with what he has heard from indigenous oil and gas companies and what they have exhibited at the Nigerian Content Fair, he was convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that Shell has made not just the indigenous companies and the people of the Niger Delta but also governments at all tiers proud with its policies and business principles.
Hon Asita, who represents Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives, challenged other multinational oil and gas companies, particularly those present at the two-day event to organise similar shows and invite the committee to listen to participants and witness their exhibitions directly inspired by the majors.
The member, who threatened to use his offices to invoke the scrapping of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over alleged practices that undermine the objectives of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act, advised NAPIMS to redouble efforts at fast tracking approvals to applications for registration and tenders by indigenous companies in the industry through the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NipeX).
Similarly, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), an umbrella body of indigenous oil and gas producing and servicing companies in Nigeria, has ranked Shell Exploration and Production Companies in Nigeria (SEPCiN) tops in the development of Nigerian content in the critical oil and gas industry.
Speaking at the Nigerian Content Day, President of the association, Engineer Emeka Ene, said that Shell was the first to initiate institutionalization of Nigerian content in the industry years before the conceptualization of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Content Policy, which culminated in the enactment of the Nigerian Content Act 2010.
He also invited foreign investors to take advantage of the robust operating environment and enabling legislation, especially the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Act, to partner with indigenous companies to raise the bar in service delivery in the industry.
In his remarks, Managing Director, SPDC, Mutiu Sunmonu, said “Shell-run companies in Nigeria have continued to deliver positive impact on the economy by supporting and developing local vendors and service providers” through a Nigerian content strategy that “promotes the use of locally manufactured goods and Nigerian service companies in production operations, projects and well engineering, in compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act”.
Sunmonu, who is also the country chair of Shell E & P Companies in Nigeria, catalogued a number of collaborative efforts between Shell and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) that have resulted in major investments in line pipes and personal protective equipment production, international certification of local clamp manufacturer, among other discoveries and partnerships that have re-invigorated hope in local companies in the industry.
While commending participants for taking advantage of the opportunity to leverage the expertise, cutting-edge technologies and innovative products offered by the exhibition, Sunmonu hoped that the fair would “provide another viable and effective platform for interaction between local vendors, suppliers, contractors, Shell project engineers, and other key industry stakeholders, in order to create awareness of oil and gas materials, equipment, goods and services obtainable within Nigeria.”
Nelson Chukwudi
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
