News
Shell Spends N21bn On Bayelsa Communities
Communities in Bayelsa State received a total of N21.71 billion from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Ltd. for development projects between 2006 and 2017.
SPDC General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli, said the amount was the total funds disbursed to 14 Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) clusters since the community development initiative commenced in 2006.
Mr Weli, while presenting the ‘2018 Shell Nigeria Briefing Notes’ to journalists in Yenagoa, the state capital yesterday, said the amount was the highest so far spent in the Niger Delta region.
“If you subtract this amount from the N41.10 billion invested in the 37 active GMoU clusters in the Niger Delta, it shows that Bayelsa remittances represent more than half of the total sum spent on GMoUs in the region.
“Part of the reason for the record expenditure is the number of projects we implemented through the GMoUs such as the Gbaran – Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Development.
“We also have a shallow offshore production in Bayelsa which alone has four GMoU clusters.
“GMoU clusters in Bayelsa State have blazed the trail in community development, operating transport schemes, providing skills training, building amenities and infrastructure.
“We are pleased with the contributions of the various GMoU clusters to the development of Bayelsa State,” Mr Weli said.
He explained that the Kou Cluster, one of the clusters, trained over 40 fishermen and women in modern fishing methods and gave them boats, outboard engines and fishing gears.
He said Iduwini Development Foundation, another cluster, sponsored several students to the United States for tertiary education.
According to Mr Weli, SPDC was also implementing the Oloibiri Health Programme (OHP) to strengthen health care in Ogbia Local Government Area, as part of projects to mark Nigeria’s centenary anniversary.
“The OHP has delivered household health services for more than 8,300 persons in 2,814 homes.
“The Kolo General Hospital has been strengthened and upgraded to serve the delivery model with five health-for-life centres including Oloibiri and 15 ward health centres.
“Also, Shell’s flagship youth enterprise development programme, LiveWIRE has reached 600 persons in Bayelsa State since it was launched in Nigeria in 2003,” he said.
He said the beneficiaries were given entrepreneurial training and start-up grants to help them commence businesses that were also employing people.
On education, he said 160 students from Bayelsa benefitted from the cradle-to-career programme which gave fully-funded sponsorship to top secondary school students in Nigeria.
According to him, young graduates from Bayelsa State have also continued to enjoy awards under the Niger Delta Post Graduate Scholarship Programme.
He said the programme was established in 2010 to grow the Nigerian talent pipeline for the oil and gas industry through scholarships at three UK universities, namely the Imperial College London, University College London and University of Leeds.
“Our support for development in the Niger Delta is more than a business strategy. It is a demonstration of our commitment to the wellbeing of our hosts.
“That commitment remains unshaken, but it cannot prosper in an atmosphere of rancour, violence and endless acrimony. So, when communities maintain peace, law and order, they are in effect promoting their own development,” Mr Weli said.
The Chairman of Bayelsa Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, John Angese, and other media representatives witnessed the presentations of the 2018 ‘Briefing Note’.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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