SPDC List Measures Taken To Secure Oil and Gas Facilities

Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has divulged steps taken to ensure the security of oil and gas platforms in Delta State.

These measures include, but not limited to the setting up of a Joint Task Force, social and Educational investment programmes, provision of electricity to oil bearing communities, job creation, direct contract financing, implementation of community determined projects as agreed in their General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), use of locally manufactured goods amongst others.

The Country Chair/Managing Director of SPDC Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor made the disclosures in a keynote address delivered at a 2-day conference on securing oil and gas installations in Delta State, phase 1, held at Ogulagha town, Burutu council area of the state recently.

The conference which was organized by the Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities is led by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Otuaro.

The State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro in his opening address emphasized the need for peace in oil bearing communities as a necessary ingredient to attract and retain investors in the state.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the 2-day conference, it was recommended that the International Oil Companies procure fishing trawlers and modern fishing equipment and donate same to locals to ensure continuity in their fishing occupation, just as the oil companies and the government should adopt bioremediation to stimulate the growth of certain microbes that uses crude oil as source of food and energy following the massive degradation of the environment occasioned by the exploration and exploitation activities of the oil majors in the area.

The communiqué stated further that oil companies should involve host communities in securing the pipelines and other installations in the region as no amount of government security agents can do it much better.

Conference also advocated continual offer of scholarship and vocational training for youths in the region, even as it recommended a comprehensive agricultural policy to encourage agro-business by youths as means of livelihood.

While calling for the dredging of the Escravos Bar to Warri to reactivate and increase economic activities at the various ports in Delta State, it also frown at the non-employment of qualified host indigenes by the oil majors and called for the immediate correction of the anomaly.

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