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SPDC’s Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 Comes On Stream …As Firm Spends N10.5trn On Host Communities

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The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has commenced production at Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2, a key project in the Niger Delta that will help to boost gas supply to the domestic market and maintain supply to the export market.
A statement by Shell, made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, said Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 follows the success of the first phase of the Gbaran-Ubie integrated oil and gas development, which was commissioned in June 2010.
It explained that peak production at Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 is expected in 2019 with approximately 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent (kboe) per day.
A breakdown of this peak period production is approximately 864 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscf/d) and 26,000 barrels of condensate per day.
SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, said “The latest development at Gbaran-Ubie is a powerful statement on the continuing commitment of SPDC and our Joint Venture partners to harness Nigeria’s oil and gas resources for the benefit of the country and stakeholders”.
“The project was delivered safely through an integrated team with a significant engagement and empowerment of community service providers and Nigerian companies,” Okunbor added.
The Tide gathered that 18 wells have been drilled and a new pipeline constructed between Kolo Creek and Soku, which connects the existing Gbaran-Ubie Central Processing Facility (CPF) to the Soku Non-Associated Gas (NAG) plant.
First gas flowed from the wells in March, 2016, with the facilities coming on stream in July, 2017.
Vice President, Nigeria and Gabon, Peter Costello, said: “This is exciting news for Nigeria as it signals Shell’s continued strategy of deploying investment and expertise in our areas of strength.
“Our aim is to continue to explore areas of partnership in Nigeria where the right conditions exist and where we can add best value,” Costello added.
The Tide investigation show that Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 will help to process the condensate from Kolo Creek, Gbaran, Koroama and Epu fields, thereby assisting in reducing the volume of flaring from SPDC operations.
The project has contributed to economic development in the Niger Delta and assisted the local community and Nigerian companies.
During construction, members of the community and local sub-contractors provided goods and services in line with the provisions of a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
Training was also provided to the community in pipeline maintenance, scaffolding, welding and piping fabrication.
SPDC is the operator of a joint venture (the SPDC JV) involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC,) SPDC, Total E&P Nigeria Ltd and ENI subsidiary Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited.
Meanwhile, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said it has made an economic contribution of $29billion (approximately N10, 564,127,764,127.76) to Nigerian Government as well as empowering and positively impacting on lives, especially in its host communities in the Niger Delta region and the country at large in the last five years.
The company explained that on the average, it contributes N7billion monthly for the implementation of Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and Social Investment initiatives in the region.
This was disclosed during an integrated stakeholders’ forum organized by SPDC-JV for its host communities from Ahoada-West in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
Shell General Manager, External Relations, Mr Igo Weli stated that Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) work in partnership with state governments, communities and civil society groups to implement policies on social investment that would better the lives of Nigerians, especially those in host communities.
“This is done through Social Investment activities, which focus on community and enterprise development, education, health, access to energy and road safety. This, however, excludes community-driven development programmes and initiatives delivered through GMoU which focuse on various themes as determined by benefitting communities,” Weli said.
Represented by the Shell Stakeholder Relations Manager, Dr Alice Ajeh emphasized that the GMoU cluster community for Ekpeye, which was frozen for many years ago, has now been reactivated, noting that all payments made in respect to GMoU implementation were available for perusal by affected communities.
He stressed that while forming the community clusters for the proper utilization of funds for the GMoU, SPDC strives to ensure that 30 per cent of members were women while 70 per cent men.
The general manager explained that the chairmen of the Cluster Development Boards make up the governing body for the GMoU, adding that the board provides for the immediate basic needs of their communities.
He noted that plans were underway to organize interactive forum with the community cluster development boards (CDBs) to provide accountability platform on how they have been utilising the monthly N7billion GMoU fund.
Speaking, the Cluster Board Chairman, Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Isaac Abraham stated that SPDC has positively impacted on the people of the area, adding that the company was not to blame for the many infrastructure deficit issues in communities.
Abraham commended SPDC for positively impacting on the lives of host communities, especially the youth, adding that if other stakeholders were fulfilling their obligations as much as Shell, the Niger Delta would have been transformed.
“I said I have positive commendation for SPDC because for several years, if you go to the grassroots, there is no presence of government, but what we experience as development here now is from SPDC through the proper utilisation of GMoU funds.

We are ready to give account of how we spent the GMoU fund,” he said.
In separate interviews with The Tide on the way forward to reduce the high rate of pipeline vandalism and sabotage of crude oil assets in the Niger Delta, some concerned youth of communities in Abua/Odual, Ekpeye and Engenni, expressed readiness to collaborate with Shell to safeguard critical oil and gas facilities in host communities.
The Uwema Aminigbo Community Palace Secretary, January Igoma, appealed to SPDC to make Aminigboko Emughan Community hospital built since 1995, functional, adding that the community wants the medical staff withdrawn from the facility reinstated.
He also listed other demands as rehabilitation of the two water projects, the Owerewere Link Road, Emughan junction linking Aminigboko Road, as well as the Emesu linking the Emesu Waterside Road.
Speaking, the Engenni people listed their demands to include scholarship to the youth, reconstruction of internal roads, skills acquisition programmes, pipe-borne water, employment and empowerment opportunities for the people, while urging for investment in agriculture development to make the people self-sufficient in food production.

 

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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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.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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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

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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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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