Okowa appeals to Shell to return to Delta
(Nigeria) Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called on
Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to re-establish their office in the
state.
The governor made the call on Tuesday while speaking with
the management of the SPDC, led by its Managing Director, Mr Osagie Okunbor on
a visit to the governor in Asaba.
Okowa assured the company of eventful partnership, adding
that peace and security were integral components of his administration.
He said Shell’s decision to close down in Delta was not a
good idea, adding that the company’s closure was not in the interest of the
state as it still had a lot of business activities going on in the state.
He noted that ``SPDC still loads its crude from the Forcados
terminal, therefore, it cannot afford to shut down offices in Delta.
``We are glad that you (Shell) are still exporting crude
through the Forcados terminal and still have other assets in the state.
``Shell cannot wish Delta State away from its business
relationship; we have a long shared relationship with Shell as one of its
founding areas in the country.
``Your leaving has some economic impact on the state, we
will be glad to have your office back in the state. Your visit today is very
re-assuring, we will do our best to protect and provide conducive business
environment and the best of services for investors in the state.’’
Okowa urged the company and other corporate organisations to
partner with the state in order to empower the people, especially the youths.
He said the youth’s empowerment programmes being floated by
his administration had provided enough windows for the various organisations to
leverage on as part of their social responsibility to the state.
He noted that the government received over 60,000
applications for the empowerment programme that targeted not more than 6,000
persons.
He, however, said the government would take new applications
every six months through rigorous selection process.
Earlier, Okunbor had told the governor that the team was in
Asaba to reassure the governor that SPDC had not left the state.
He congratulated the governor and his deputy on their
emergence and assured them of SPDC’s preparedness to support his
administration’s agenda for a prosperous Delta.
According to him, Shell has lots of assets in the state even
though it has divested its operations.
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