09 May 2013, Yenagoa – The Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has spent N355 million in executing 10 projects under a Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, in the Nembe kingdom in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State.
SPDC stated this at the commissioning of some of the projects in Yenagoa by the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.
Dickson who lauded the oil major while commissioning 35 Hyundai cars under a revolving loan scheme and printing press however expressed concern over the delay in the completion of the link road to Nembe.
Represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd) an indigene of Nembe, the governor said a meeting would be was scheduled as soon as possible to discuss issues concerning the road project being handled by SPDC and Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, as proper studies were not carried out before commencing the project.
He explained that the completion of the road project would go a long way in addressing security concerns in the oil rich kingdom which for now could only be access by boat.
Dickson also described the proposed Nembe Independent Power Project as a laudable project that would enhance the quality of life in the rural area when completed.
On the proposed health insurance scheme, the governor pointed out that it was in line with his administration’s policy and assured that more equipment, manpower and items lacking at the Nembe General Hospital would be provided by the state government.
He called on other communities in the state to learn from what was happening in Nembe which he said was due to the leadership of the monarch, King Edmund Daukoru, Amanayabo of Nembe Kingdom.
In his remarks, SPDC General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Nedo Osayande disclosed that the sum of N1.418bn is being invested annually to deliver community development projects.
According to him, “SPDC and its joint venture partners have invested over N10.5 billion on GMoU related projects in the state since 2006.”
He said the 10 projects executed under the GMoU cut across economic empowerment and infrastructure and that they were still seeking ways to improve on community interface management.
Earlier, chairman of Nembe City Development Foundation, NCDF, Chief Howells Young-Dede, said the projects have encouraged them to explore more beneficial avenues of partnership for the development of the people.
*Samuel Oyadongha, Vanguard