Rivers enters new deal with Shell Nigeria

ITREALMS:

The reasons for the recent signing of  a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rivers State Government and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) have been revealed, reports ITRealms.

Sources close to the Rivers State government informed ITRealms, the deal was for the distribution of gas to industries in the Greater Port Harcourt area and its environs, in order to improve productivity and possibilly boost job creation.

Also, ITRealms gathered that the MoU sets out broad terms and conditions to guide co-operation between the two parties in the development of new gas distribution opportunities in the Greater Port Harcourt area and its environs in addition to its existing gas distribution network in the State.

"The agreement is key in the efforts of the government to boost industrialization in Rivers State," said Richard Hart, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, who signed for the government. "We believe that the agreed terms in the MoU will lead to the signing of the "Build-Operate-Own-and Transfer" (BOOT) agreement early next year so businesses can begin to reap the benefits of a steady source of energy."

SNG Managing Director, Ed Ubong who signed for the company said the partnership was an opportunity to further promote gas as a more reliable, cleaner and cost-effective alternative to liquid fuels in the Niger Delta.

"Gas is the key to boosting industrialization. It is no coincidence that states that currently do well on internal revenue generation have also encouraged the use of gas to boost industrial output, which in turn provides employment and improved livelihood. SNG is grateful to the Rivers State Government for the foresight and co-operation in the signing of the MoU, and will reciprocate the gesture by taking every step to fulfill its obligations in the agreement," he said.

Also commenting on the significance of the MoU, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor reiterated the leadership role of Shell in the domestic gas market.

"For more than 50 years, Shell has been in the forefront of the campaign to develop and monetize Nigeria's huge resources and it is good to see SNG continuing in the tradition to grow the domestic gas market and also help to improve lives and earnings in Rivers State," Okunbor said.

Ogochukwu Nebenanya/GEE

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pix: Gov. Nyeson Wike of Rivers State

Shell lifts Port Harcourt Literary Society with N1bn library

ITRealms:

The Shell Petroleum and Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has lifted the Port Harcourt Literary Society with an e-library worth N1 billion, just as the society has opened its doors to book lovers and other literary enthusiasts, reports ITRealms.

The e-library, ITRealms gathered is one of the N2billion social investment projects Shell exclusively sponsored in the Niger Delta to mark Nigeria's centenary anniversary.

The others are a hospital and sports centre in Bayelsa and Delta states respectively. Shell spent N790 million on the project that was implemented via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port Harcourt Library Society, which contributed an additional N240 million.

The Managing Director, SPDC, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said that Shell invested exclusively on this library project because of its strong conviction that it will deliver significant benefits and positively impact the lives of the people.

Okunbor who also is Country Chair Shell Companies in Nigeria, said at the commissioning ceremony that they were pleased to deliver an ultra-modern public library that would rank as one of the biggest and most IT-driven in the country. The feedback we’re receiving shows that the literary scene in the Garden City has already changed.

Nigeria’s National Librarian, Prof Lenrie Aina  said that the facility, named Port Harcourt Literary Society Library is the ‘first complete public library in Nigeria,’ because, aside from Shell ensuring supply of power, books and cooling, every comfort of book lovers was considered in the design and construction of the library. 

Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, in a speech delivered by her Senior Special Assistant, Mrs. Inegogo Fubara, thanked SPDC for supporting the state government's desire to provide sustainable and affordable education to the people. 

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Port Harcourt Literary Society, Dr. Chidi Amuta said the library was designed to be the heart of the Port Harcourt Book Centre that was originally conceived to commemorate the recognition of Port Harcourt by UNESCO as the 2014 World Book Capital. He added: “Oher structures awaiting donor evaluation and sponsorship include a writers’ hostel, an event centre/exhibition hall and a theatre. The Book Centre, like the Muson Centre in Lagos along which it is modelled, is conceived as a centre of culture and enlightenment.”

An obviously elated Senator Magnus Abe said “In everything Shell has done in the Niger Delta, today they have made a statement that will never go away. They have set us as a people as partners, in truth, because it is books that will develop the Niger Delta. So having associated themselves with books today in the lives of our children and in the lives of our youths, Shell has made an indelible contribution to the true development of this region. We will never forget you.’ 

The cynosure of all eyes at the event was 10-year old Shawn Ene who single-handedly raised over N250,000 for the donation of children’s books under the special support programme of Shell Nigeria staff’s volunteer group, Shell Employees Care. There were also poetry and drama performances at the commissioning of the library.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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