Communities in Bayelsa received a total
sum of N21.71 billion from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC)
Ltd for development projects between 2006 and 2017,
The amount is the total funds disbursed
to the 14 Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) clusters in the state since
the inception of this mode of community development in 2006.
Mr Igo Weli, SPDC General Manager
External Relations said the amount was the highest so far spent in the Niger
Delta region while presenting the 2018 Shell Nigeria Briefing Notes to
journalists in Yenagoa on Thursday.
“If you subtract this amount out of the
N41.10 billion invested in the 37 active GMoU clusters in the Niger Delta, it
shows that the 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 project GMoUs which we implemented, for example
Gbaran – Ubie integrated oil and gas development.
“We also have a shallow offshore production
in Bayelsa which alone has four GMoU clusters. We’re pleased at the
contributions of the various GMoU clusters to the development of Bayelsa State.
“GMoU clusters in Bayelsa State have
blazed the trail in community development, operating transport schemes,
providing skills training and building amenities and infrastructure.,” Weli
said
Weli, who was represented by Dr aice Aje
explained that the Kou Cluster fr
instance trained over 40 fishermen and women in modern fishing methods and gave
them boats, outboard engines and fishing gears.
Another cluster, Iduwini Development
Foundation, sponsored several students to the United States for tertiary
education..
He said SPDC is 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.
“The beneficiaries have been given
entrepreneurial training and start-up grants to help them commence businesses
that are also employing people,” he said
On education some 160 students from
Bayelsa benefitted from the cradle-to-career programme which gives fully-funded
sponsorship to top secondary schools in Nigeria.
Weli said als that young graduates from
Bayelsa 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, 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 and law and order, they are in effect
promoting their own development.” Weli said.
Chairman of Bayelsa Council of Nigeria
Union of Journalists Mr John Angese and representatives of media witnessed the
presentations of the 2018 ‘Briefing Notes’.
The Briefing Notes is an annual
publication of operational data and the oil firm’s social responsibility
projects in its operational areas.
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