RSG Seeks Shell’s Partnership In Sports Dev

Rivers State Government, has solicited the support of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other corporate bodies in fast-tracking sports development in the state.

The state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who made the appeal last Saturday while teeing-off the 2011 edition of the Shell Golf Tournament at the Golf Club, Shell Residential Area, Port Harcourt, commended the company for contributing to the development of sports personalities and infrastructure, and called on potential investors to take advantage of the conducive business climate and guaranteed security by investing in the state.

Represented by the Sports Commissioner, Hon Fred Igwe, the state governor said only a strategic partnership between the government and corporate organisations can deliver the desired quality infrastructure and excellence in sports competitions by the state contingents.

Amaechi lauded Shell for sponsoring the golf tournament over the years, and stressed that the platform provided by the event has helped to boost friendship peace and mutual understanding amongst residents of the state expecially those working in the oil and gas industry.

He restated that through such partnerships sustainable development would be achieved as healthy citizenry would be available, while employment opportunities would also be created for both indigenes and non-indigenes alike.

The governor noted that because of the guaranteed security situation, the state has recorded successes in different areas of sports specially hosting of the 17th National Sports Festival and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sports competition, among others.

The state chief executive said that it was in a bid to boost sports infrastructure as a veritable instrument of fostering peace, development, progress, and a healthy citizenry that the government embarked on the construction of the Adokiye Amasiemaka Sports Complex, and other world –class sports facilities in the state.

Speaking, Managing Director, SPDC, Mutiu Summonu, said the annual Shell Golf tournament was one of the company’s modest contributions to the development aspirations of the state, and promised the readiness of the company to key into the government’s overall development agenda for the benefit of its citizenry.

Sunmonu, who was represented at the occasion by the Vice President, HSE and Corporate Affairs, Shell Sub-Saharan Africa. Tony Attah, said that the golf championship was but one of the numerous sports competitions sponsored by the company in the Niger Delta to build capacity, foster friendship across industry borders and promote peace and harmony.

More than 100 golfers across the country, including staff of the Major Oil and gas companies operating in the region as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), participated in the two-day tournament, which saw both amateur and professional male and female players compete for honours.

Nelson Chukwudi