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Shell Denies Nigerian Content Law Breaches At EA Fields In N’Delta
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), on Wednesday, denied claims that it was in violation of Nigerian Content laws at the EA fields in Bayelsa State.
The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), had on Monday, alleged that SPDC had excluded indigenous players from its operations at the EA fields in breach of the community content guidelines.
The content guidelines were set out by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The youth group also said that it would resist any plot to exclude members of host communities by mobilisng for a protest that would ground operations at the oil fields, if the policy was not reversed.
The group also urged the Minister of Petroleum, President Muhammadu Buhari, and leadership of NNPC Limited, to prevail on SPDC to have a rethink and reciprocate the peaceful disposition of the host communities.
SPDC operates the EA shallow offshore fields off Bayelsa coastline, deploying a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FSPO) vessel, with a capacity to process and hold 1.4million barrels of crude.
Reacting to the allegations of breach of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD), SPDC said that on the contrary, it was a leading player in the development of local capacity in the oil and gas sector.
In a statement, SPDC Media Relations Manager, Mrs. Abimbola Essien-Nelson, said that Shell awarded contracts worth $1.9billion to Nigerian companies and works with NCDMB in building capacity of Nigerian companies in the oil and gas sector.
“The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Joint Venture (SPDC JV) is committed to the development of businesses in the Niger Delta.
“Working with government and community stakeholders, we have supported capacity development in several Niger Delta-owned businesses.
“The case in hand is a scheduled review of our logistics contracting process that has been in place for years. The review was supervised by the NNPC Upstream Investments Management Services (NUIMS) and the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
“It was, however, conducted via an open and transparent bidding process which resulted in the entrance of several new contractors.
“The bid winners consist some of these new companies, as well as companies previously involved in the contract.
“All the bid winners, which are Nigerian companies, demonstrated their commercial and technical competences, as well as compliance with Nigerian Content regulations,” SPDC stated.
The energy firm pledged that it would continue to support the development of local communities and companies.
It stated that in 2022, the SPDC Joint Venture, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) awarded contracts worth $1.9billion to Nigerian-registered companies.
“Additionally, in 2022, the SPDC JV, SNEPCo and SNG invested $5.6million in education programmes and contributed $34.29million in direct social investment.
“Social investment was mainly in projects related to community, health, education, road safety and enterprise programmes.
“These projects are often implemented in partnership with local authorities and contractors.
“In addition, $56.13million has been earmarked to be paid in 2023 by the SPDC JV and SNEPCo for a statutory contribution to Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs), which will benefit Nigerian communities,” it stated.
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
