SPDC, NMU Sign $5m MoU To Boost Education Infrastructure

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture and the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of education infrastructure projects worth $5million in response to the Federal Government’s drive to ensure successful take off of the NMU.
Speaking during an interactive session with newsmen, last Wednesday, in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, said that the initiative was in line with component of the company’s policy to enhance education infrastructure in critical sectors, particularly in the Niger Delta.
“Following meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, SPDC JV has committed $5million to NMU and this support and donation of infrastructure will be phased over three years. The support ties to SPDC’s Global Social Investment Theme, Education, and links to our longstanding support for education and capacity development of the Nigerian youth,” Okunbor said.
He pointed out that SPDC neither likes delay in project execution nor tolerates abandonment, and expressed optimism that with adequate funds set aside, the project would be completed successfully.
The SPDC MD stressed that after series of consultations and interactive meetings with the university leadership, SPDC decided to key into some of the priority areas of need of the university, including the construction of Lecture Halls; Student Hostels and water treatment and distribution network.
Okunbor explained that the funding for the projects would be phased and money released in milestones with the first tranche dedicated to the completion of the Lecture Hall Complex, adding that the MoU would provide a framework for overseeing the successful delivery of the Lecture Hall Complex with both SPDC and NMU’s representatives on the Project Management Committee (PMC).
He emphasized that the proposed Lecture Theatre Complex was designed to consist of a two-floor furnished building complex, comprising three lecture auditoria; eight classrooms, one E-classroom; 14 offices and 18 conveniences, adding that SPDC would commence the execution of the next priority project once the lecture hall building has been completed.
In her reaction, the Vice Chancellor, Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Prof Ongoebi Maureen Etebu expressed delight with the coming to fruition of the SPDC JV’s kind gesture, describing the gesture as “unprecedented and God’s way of providing for the needs of the university”.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana