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
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.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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