Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and socio-economic development of her host communities in the Niger Delta region.
This is after the resolution of the 30months dispute among the Dutch multinational, Belemaoil Producing Limited and host communities of OML25 in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The crisis was laid to rest on Tuesday in Abuja, after a rapprochement brokered by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who promised to open the way for resumption of production activities on the field in ten days time, starting from Tuesday.
Reacting to the resolution, the management of SPDC said Shell is looking forward to a quick return to the oil platform ahead of planned resumption of production activities in OML 25.
SPDC Media Relations Manager, Bamidele Odugbesan, said the resumption of Shell operations in Belema will provide benefits to the people and revenue to the country.
“The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, operator of the SPDC Joint Venture, is thankful to all stakeholders for their roles in ensuring an amicable resolution of the issues that led to the shutdown of our oil and gas facilities in Belema on August 11, 2017.
“SPDC remains committed to the welfare of its host communities in the Niger Delta and also to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
“We believe that the resumption of our operations in Belema will provide benefits to the people and revenue to the country,” Odugbesan said.
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Meanwhile, the management of Belemaoil Producing Limited, has called for unity, peace and calm among members of OML 25 host communities, following the resolution of the dispute.
President and Founder of Belemaoil Producing Limited, Jackrich Tein, during a townhall meeting with the host communities of OML25, said the new partnership between SPDC and Belemaoil will afford Belemaoil to be responsible for the provision of infrastructure , job creation and employment of youths from the area.
Tein who described the resolution as a win, win deal, also announced that the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, will be vising Kula on the 28th of this month .
“Shell remains the licence owner and operator, but Belemaoil will be given the responsibility to run and operate the maintenance part of the contract. So Belemaoil will employ the personnel who will be responsible for the operations and maintenance and ensure that all the surveillance and patrol services are carried out.
“Locals will be employed to make that happen and we (Belemaoil) will jointly work with Shell and the community to understand their developmental programmes. It’s a pretty good deal, it’s a win, win deal.”
Tein also commended the Presidency for brokering a truce, and called on the host communities of OML25 to unite and work as a team for the development of the area.
“I appeal to all stakeholders, the traditional rulers, the women and youths, on the 28th of this month we are going to have a high power delegation led by the GMD of NNPC to this community.
“This shows significant interest that the Federal Government really want the communities to be developed and that’s why I’m calling on the community to stand for oneness and stop this message of hate.
“Basically we are happy the government has resolved this issue that has lingered for so long,” Jackrich Tein said.
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