Niger Delta

Shell Spends N10.5bn On Cluster GMoU

Published

13 years ago

December 28, 2012

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says that in conjunction with its joint venture partners, it has spent a total of N10.5 billion between 2006 till date in project executions in the 12 clusters covered under Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) agreements in Bayelsa State.

The General Manager,Sustainable Development and Company Relations of the company, Mr Philip Mshebila disclosed this in his goodwill message at the official commissioning of some projects by the Okordia/Zarama Community Development Board recently.

Consequently, he said the sum of N1.418 billion is spent annual to deliver community development projects through the GMoUs.

Meshebila who was represented by Manager, Government and Community Relations, Mr Evans Krukubo, said the GMOUs had been proved to be very effective in the company’s commitment to sustainable development of the Niger Delta region

“I have always believed in value driven partnerships. You see, partnerships that engage the strenghts of the private sector, government and civil societies can, under, the right conditions, yield better and more sustainable results for communities’’, he said.

He said the propjects pioneered by the Okordia/Zarama Cluster Development Board in partnership with SPDC were part of the GMoU platform with support from the Bayelsa State government, and commended members of the board for their selfless and patriotic service to their people.

According to him, “the 22 projects being commissioned which cut across “economic empowerment and infrastructure, viz roads, town halls , classroom blocks, portable water with a total value of N160m will not only improve the economic well-being in those communities but also create job opportunities”.

Also in his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Mr Kingsly Eze of Living Earth Foundation, commended members of the board for justifying the confidence reposed in them by the people.

He, however urged SPDC to encourage the board in providing more incentives that would enable them to put in their best, saying that he expected other cluster GMOUs in the state to emulate Okordia/Zarama which had performed exceedingly well within a year of coming into existence.

Earlier.the chairman of the cluster development board, Pastor Timi Obonah said that the body which inaugurated in 2011 drew its members from the nine communiies that make up the Okordia/Zarama Cluster Development Board (OZCDB) which source of fund depends on the GMOU sponsored by SPDC

.Pastor Obonomah said the projects executed and ready for commissioning includes 5 community town halls, 12 concrete walk-ways, 5 guest houses, 4 borehole, 3 haic hummer buses, with other projects mentioned as removal of water hycienth along the Talor Creek, health scheme and agricultural materials distributed to farmers

.While stating that the major challenges facing the board was that of security and maintence of peace, Mf Obonomah appealed to SPDC to consider provision of stipents to members as necessary incentives to spur them put the best of their energy.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.