13 February 2014, Abuja – The House of Representatives has mandated some of its committees to investigate the alleged exclusion of Imo, Abia and Akwa Ibom from the Shell Live Wire Nigeria Programme.
Shell Live Wire programme is a corporate social responsibility programme being carried out yearly by the in the Niger Delta region by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC)
The committees to look into the matter are the Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Gas Resources, they are expected to report back to the House within two weeks.
The resolution followed a motion by Rep. Irona Gerald (PDP-Imo) which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.
He said that the live wire programme was meant to inspire, encourage, and support young people between ages 18 to 35 years to start up their own business through the provision of finance.
The lawmaker expressed concern that despite the existence of SPDC operations in Oguta and Egbema in Imo and Abia respectively, both states were excluded from the shell live wire programme.
According to Gerald, ever since the discriminatory act was revealed, SPDC has not responded in any positive way to contradict the allegation or take any action to redress it.
Similarly, the House directed its committees on Interior and Human Rights to investigate the alleged renewed onslaught by security agencies against people travelling to the southern part of the country from the north.
Moving the motion earlier, Rep. Aminu Suleiman (PDP-Kano) said that the ugly trend was capable of creating tension which might disrupt the peaceful co-existence in the country.
He said that relevant section of the constitution still provided for freedom of movement as well as living anywhere within Nigeria without any hindrance by anybody.
– NAN
