News
Shell Spends N21bn On Bayelsa Communities
Communities in Bayelsa State received a total of N21.71 billion from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Ltd. for development projects between 2006 and 2017.
SPDC General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli, said the amount was the total funds disbursed to 14 Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) clusters since the community development initiative commenced in 2006.
Mr Weli, while presenting the ‘2018 Shell Nigeria Briefing Notes’ to journalists in Yenagoa, the state capital yesterday, said the amount was the highest so far spent in the Niger Delta region.
“If you subtract this amount from the N41.10 billion invested in the 37 active GMoU clusters in the Niger Delta, it shows that Bayelsa remittances represent more than half of the total sum spent on GMoUs in the region.
“Part of the reason for the record expenditure is the number of projects we implemented through the GMoUs such as the Gbaran – Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Development.
“We also have a shallow offshore production in Bayelsa which alone has four GMoU clusters.
“GMoU clusters in Bayelsa State have blazed the trail in community development, operating transport schemes, providing skills training, building amenities and infrastructure.
“We are pleased with the contributions of the various GMoU clusters to the development of Bayelsa State,” Mr Weli said.
He explained that the Kou Cluster, one of the clusters, trained over 40 fishermen and women in modern fishing methods and gave them boats, outboard engines and fishing gears.
He said Iduwini Development Foundation, another cluster, sponsored several students to the United States for tertiary education.
According to Mr Weli, SPDC was also implementing the Oloibiri Health Programme (OHP) to strengthen health care in Ogbia Local Government Area, as part of projects to mark Nigeria’s centenary anniversary.
“The OHP has delivered household health services for more than 8,300 persons in 2,814 homes.
“The Kolo General Hospital has been strengthened and upgraded to serve the delivery model with five health-for-life centres including Oloibiri and 15 ward health centres.
“Also, Shell’s flagship youth enterprise development programme, LiveWIRE has reached 600 persons in Bayelsa State since it was launched in Nigeria in 2003,” he said.
He said the beneficiaries were given entrepreneurial training and start-up grants to help them commence businesses that were also employing people.
On education, he said 160 students from Bayelsa benefitted from the cradle-to-career programme which gave fully-funded sponsorship to top secondary school students in Nigeria.
According to him, young graduates from Bayelsa State have also continued to enjoy awards under the Niger Delta Post Graduate Scholarship Programme.
He said the programme was established in 2010 to grow the Nigerian talent pipeline for the oil and gas industry through scholarships at three UK universities, namely the Imperial College London, University College London and University of Leeds.
“Our support for development in the Niger Delta is more than a business strategy. It is a demonstration of our commitment to the wellbeing of our hosts.
“That commitment remains unshaken, but it cannot prosper in an atmosphere of rancour, violence and endless acrimony. So, when communities maintain peace, law and order, they are in effect promoting their own development,” Mr Weli said.
The Chairman of Bayelsa Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, John Angese, and other media representatives witnessed the presentations of the 2018 ‘Briefing Note’.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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