The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. has issued a warning against sabotage and crude oil theft.
The warning came as three Delta State host communities — Ogulagha, Iduwini Delta, and Iwereland – launched their development trusts in Warri on Thursday.
The Petroleum Industry Act, which became law in 2021, established trusts as the primary framework for the development of host communities, and their incorporation gave the necessary legal support to draw resources and direct them toward community development.
At the introduction of the three Delta host communities’ development trusts held at the Shell conference center, Ogonu, the managing director of Shell and chairman of the Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, urged participants to guarantee smooth operations to be able to fully benefit from the new dispensation.
“With the latest unveiling,” said Okunbor, who was represented by Project Manager, NCDT, Dr. Alice Ajah, “it means that the PIA is making progress in the Niger Delta, with SPDC, supported by her partners, continuing with its handshake with communities in the region.”
The ceremonial unveiling of the three Delta Host Communities Development Trust Chairmen, Chief Anoruse MacDonald (Ogulagha), Benikurukuru Ibamugha (Iduwini Delta), and Alli Lemmy Omagbitse (Iwereland), respectively, was the highlight of the celebration.
Similar ceremonies, the Shell Managing Director noted, had previously taken place in the states of Rivers and Bayelsa.
He stated that the SPDC JV was trying to implement the Petroleum Industry Act’s community development provisions in these four states by including a total of 22 Trasts, therefore he expressed hope that the train of development would proceed from Delta to Imo State.
“This unveiling means the PIA is making progress in the Niger Delta, with SPDC, supported by her partners, and continuing to extend its handshake to communities in the Niger Delta,” he said.
He pointed out that all parties, including the communities, are required to deploy them as needed under the PIA, which allows for the amicable resolution of complaints with oil firms.
Additionally, communities that permitted internal conflicts and chieftaincy disputes to adversely affect the construction or operations of Trusts in their regions would be imposing harm on the region.
