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 Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
