Soberekon Carpets Shell Over Claims On Refineries

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has been criticized for its failure to invest in the downstream sector of the Nigeria petroleum industry.

Elder statesman and Niger Delta activist, Rev. Sokari Soberekon who said this while reacting to statement by the chairman of the company on why Shell did not build refineries in Nigeria, said that the statement was an indication that SPDC was merely running away from its corporate social responsibility.

“Downstream and upstream are like two battery heads and any company that engages in only one of them is shying away from its corporate social responsibility,” he said.

Rev Soberekon who is the founder of Christ Jesus Link Publishers, said the perennial fuel scarcity in the country has underscored the need for all oil multinational companies to invest in refineries and petrol filling stations in the country.

According to him, by building refineries in the country, the multinationals will be carrying out their corporate social responsibilities by helping to create more job opportunities for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the clergyman has commended Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for pledging to build a refinery in the state.

He said that the actualization of the promise will enable the government and people of Rivers State to reap the benefits of oil production, while job opportunities will be created for the teeming unemployed youths of the state.

Rev Soberekon also used the occasion to call on youths in the state to be law abiding, while supporting the government to realize its lofty programmes for the state.