News
Shell Paints Gloomy Picture Of N’ Delta
The leading oil and gas multinational company in Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has openly painted a gloomy picture of the future of the oil-rich Niger Delta, listing three key reasons why the region has become unattractive for investors.
Shell specifically aligned the declining interest by investors in the region to restiveness, sabotage of facilities and pipeline vandalism as well as the precarious nature of the region’s unfriendly business environment.
The General Manager, External Relations, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr Igo Weli, who revealed this in Port Harcourt during an SPDC-sponsored one-day engagement for stakeholders from Abia State and Etche in Rivers state, yesterday, added that the company was working to ensure that it was part of the solution and not the problem of the region.
Weli stated, “SPDC-JV wants to be part of the solution and not contribute to the problem in the Niger Delta region”, adding that “this is why we planned this stakeholders’ engagement to facilitate dialogue and negotiate issues at this point in time.
“Looking at the situation of things, in terms of the value this region can get from oil and gas operation and the opportunity the presence these resources can avail, SPDC felt the need for improvement, and decided to collaborate and engage all stakeholders in order to find better solution that would benefit the region.”
The general manager stressed that the region was in much better place in the past than it is today, explaining that “In the past, the Niger Delta was the destination of choice for young graduates and new businesses from elsewhere but today, the reverse is the case, as even the Niger Deltans now sell their houses to go to Lagos”.
“We were in the much better place in the past, unless we want to be economical with the truth and fact. Decades ago, this was the destination of young graduates, new businesses and everything. Why has that changed? Why is it that suddenly nobody wants to come to Niger Delta? Nigerian investors do not have confidence to put their money here. Even the Niger Deltans now sell their houses here to go to Lagos. The case has really become terrible”, Weli said, but quickly added that the company was working round the clock to get the region back on track to its pride of place as the nation’s business hub.
“The Niger Delta is no longer attractive to investors, as most businesses have already left with new and potential investors preferring to invest in other places like Lagos.
“There are issues in Nigeria today but there are parts of the country that are still working. Even in the midst of these issues and challenges, Lagos is making progress”.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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