News
Shell, Six Others Commit N9.8tr To Fund Local Contractors
As part of strategies to boost indigenous companies’ participation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, Shell Exploration and Production Companies in Nigeria, five reputable banks and an American international financial institution have pulled together $6billion (approximately N9.8trillion) as funding commitment for local medium and large scale enterprises desirous of adding internal value to the lucrative industry.
First Bank Nigeria, Access Bank, CITI Bank Nigeria, Fidelity Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank, as well as DLR Integrated Business Services, which provides international financing and procurement services for local content providers, are partnering Shell joint venture to ease indigenous companies’ access to critical funds to finance huge procurement and manufacturing contracts in the oil and gas industry.
The Tide gathered that each of the five prestigious banks have dedicated $1billion to fund local contractors while DLR Integrated Business Services, with head office in New York, United States, has guaranteed $1billion international financing and procurement window, with a solid commitment to link Nigerian contractors with big-time equipment and products manufacturers as an instrument of facilitating sustainable partnerships for growth.
Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu said last Saturday in Port Harcourt while launching the Shell Contractors Support Funding Scheme that the initiative derives from the success of the year-old N4.5billion Shell Kobo Fund for community contractors.
Sunmonu said that the $6billion SME support funding commitment would enable local contractors to leverage hard-to-access international financing for big procurement and manufacturing contracts, adding that “this initiative will place Nigerian contractors at the front line for quality service delivery in the oil and gas industry.”
According to him, “in 2010 alone, Shell awarded contracts worth more than $947million to Nigerian companies” while “in 2011”, the company upped “the value of contracts to local contractors to $1.4billion”, representing about 93 per cent of the overall number of contracts and amounting to about 68 per cent of value of contracts awarded to third parties to date.”
He said that in the past, “financing of projects has traditionally been a major challenge to contractors’ growth and participation in the delivery of goods and services to the oil and gas industry,” and hoped that with the new dedicated fund, “financing difficulties will be greatly reduced.”
“The banks have committed to relaxing the collateral security requirement, reducing interest rates and establish their competitive advantage so as to become global players,” Sunmonu stressed, adding that he was looking forward to a day when Nigerian contractors will become major services suppliers to the Shell Group.”
While thanking the banks for partnering Shell to provide this launching pad for indigenous contractors, the Shell Nigeria chair charged participating local companies to play by the rules and apply the funds to agreed-upon projects while commending the Federal Government for initiating positive the reforms in the industry, particularly the local content law, pledging Shell’s commitment to fostering greater opportunities for Nigeria and Nigerians in the oil and gas industry.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa catalogued the pioneering role Shell was playing in developing local content in Nigeria, saying that “if other international oil companies (IOCs) commit just 50 per cent of what Shell is investing in developing local content, Nigeria oil and gas industry would lead the way in helping the Federal Government achieve its Vision 202020.”
Represented at the event by Engineer Gina O. Gina, the NCDMB boss challenged other IOCs to emulate the giant strides Shell was making in assisting government and Nigerians realise the vision of indigenous inclusiveness and participation in the industry as a veritable means of restoring peace and investors’ confidence while creating more jobs, wealth and sustainable prosperity in the country.
Also speaking, the Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Morrison Fiddi, pledged the commitment of the joint venture partners to create enabling regulatory and operating climate for local companies in the industry to thrive and compete more favourably with their global counterparts.
The GGM, who was represented by Joseph Ehijiator, lauded Shell for the initiative, and appealed to indigenous companies to leverage the funds to increase their contributions to national development.
In their separate speeches, representatives of the partnering banks expressed untiring commitment to the scheme, pledging the unleash their global financial reach and capacity in ensuring that local contractors working for Shell access required funds to finance any contracts in line with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) guiding the initiative.
Responding on behalf of participating contractors, Managing Director, Skyward Resources Limited, Hon Enahoro Eta, showered encomium on Shell for the opportunity, and expressed optimism that the fund would enhance their participation and ability to deliver required services in-country.
Highlight of the event was the signing of the MoU for the scheme by Sunmonu on behalf of Shell while First Bank’s Group Head Energy, Institutional Banking, Olalekan Adelekan; Vice President Eastern Region Global Subsidiaries Group, CITI Bank, Theresa Evuleocha; Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, Reginald Ihejiahi; Deputy Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Ade Adeola; and President, David L. Ross & Associates, David L. Ross, signed on behalf of their financial institutions.
Nelson Chukwudi
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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