Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Rivers State House of Assembly has expressed displeasure over failure of the Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited, SPDC, to appear before it, after an invitation for a meeting between the oil firm and her host community.
This is as a group known as Umuebule Landlords Association, had petition the Rivers State House of Assembly on issues bordering on corporate social responsibility, employment and other related matters against SPDC.
Speaking, the Chairman, Committee on Public Complains and Petitions in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, affirmed the commitment of the House to defend and protect Rivers people, in the face of marginalization and provocation by firms operating in the state.
Bipi, who is the lawmaker representing Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, warned that the House will take drastic action against SPDC, if the Dutch firm again turn down its invitation for the next meeting, which is scheduled to hold next Monday.
He also disclosed that already, the Committee has received numerous petitions from communities against the oil multinational.
According to him, “The committee is displeased by the absence of SPDC to resolve the matter involving Umuebule Landlords Association and other related matters.
“We have a lot of petitions against SPDC on the table. The committee has rescheduled the meeting to hold on Monday, 7th September 2020 by 9:30am at the Committee room there, of the Assembly Complex.
“I want to say that all actions regarding the matter should be kept on hold until the committee resolves the matter, and SPDC should know that they are not operating on air but in a state that has a government, therefore they should always honour invitation from the State,” the Lawmaker said.