News
Shell Sinks N1.5bn On Community Content In Gbaran Ubie
As part of an integrated strategy to boost Nigerian content development in the oil and gas industry, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has invested more than N150billion (about $1billion) on the procurement of needed labour, materials and services in-country for the development of the multibillion-dollar Gbaran Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Project in Bayelsa State.
This is a cumulative value of over 250 separate subcontracts awarded to Nigerian companies to provide services for the speedy completion of one of the largest hydrocarbons development projects in the Niger Delta, which has also empowered more than 8,050 local community people in various skills.
Disclosing this during a guarded visit of Bayelsa-based senior journalists to the facility, recently, Project Manager, Ikechukwu Elechi, said that as a result of the company’s desire to encourage indigenous participation in the operations of the critical industry, Nigerian companies were given contracts to fabricate and supply 50 per cent of all pressure vessels.
The project manager pointed out that 100 senior staff of local companies were trained on HSE, financial management, contract management and electrical works, just as more than 200 others were trained on scaffolding, welding, pipe fitting, and cable pulling, adding that three local non-governmental organizations and over 550 workers were now executing community development projects and off site civil work within the project area.
This adds to the employment of 6,000 Nigerians at peak period of activities through main contractors and subcontractors, the engagement of Nigerians who constitute over 90 per cent workforce, with more than 1,500 from local communities, and the creation of estimated 300 to 500 jobs at full operational capacity.
Elechi noted that the Gbaran Ubie facility has achieved more milestones in social performance and community development with the completion of two classroom school blocks, 12 school laboratory upgrades, one teachers’ quarters to accommodate 20 people as well as 80 university and 40 secondary scholarships to host communities.
According to him, the project has concluded arrangements to partner Bayelsa State Electricity Board on power supply to the state’s independent power station at Imiringi, while executing nine electricity supply and distribution projects with four already energized in host communities, in addition to provision of ongoing back-up electrification for two neighbouring communities and design of power projects for 14 other communities.
SPDC, he stated has completed and handed over 41 neighbourhood water schemes while progressing steadily on design of integrated water scheme for nine Gbaran communities.
Elechi told the journalists that as part of its commitment to the implementation of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) entered into with host communities, SPDC has also completed 5km of internal roads, 30km of mutually beneficial and other roads plus two bridges, as well as three civic centres, nine town halls, two guest houses and 12 apartment blocks.
The Tide learnt that the company has further completed training for 22 traditional birth attendants, 80 village health system workers, built two health centres, and conducted school de-worming exercises, HIV/AIDS campaigns, and blood pressure monitoring for project workforce.
It was gathered that since 2007 when the project began, SPDC has encouraged the establishment of two local scaffolding companies, trained 40 youths as pipeline welders, 200 as structural welders and fitters, 100 on enterprise development, 60 community leaders on conflict management, with 577 benefiting from first round of micro-credit revolving loans in 2008.
Nelson Chukwudi
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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