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Managing Director of Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr Osagie Okunbor, presenting a souvenir to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike during the SPDC's visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt, Tuesday

Make your impact felt among host communities; Wike advises oil firms in Rivers

Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company during the Managing Director's visit to the governor, Tuesday, at the Government House,  Port Harcourt.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company during the Managing Director’s visit to the governor, Tuesday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has called on major oil companies operating in the state to make their impact felt in their host communities for the people to have a sense of belonging.

This is even as the Governor called on the Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company to positively consider Rivers State indigenes as they sell their oil wells to investors.

Speaking during an audience he granted Management of the Shell Petroleum Development Company,

SPDC, Tuesday. at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said that the nonchalant attitude of some of the oil companies to the development concerns of their host communities breeds mistrust and conflict.

He pointed out that from available records, SPDC has not been partnering with the Rivers State Government to develop projects for their host communities, as he therefore, appealed to the company to change its approach to enhance better community relations.

“It is imperative for oil communities to contribute to the development of their respective communities. Some people say these companies are not interested in their host communities as they are more concerned about themselves. Let the communities living around the areas where you operate have a sense of belonging,” Wike said.

He stressed that he has received unconfirmed reports that SPDC staff pay their taxes to another state, saying it would be unfortunate if that was true, further pointing out that the SPDC should take steps to resolve any issues in that regard.

The governor assured the Management of SPDC and other companies operating in the state of adequate security for them to carry out their legitimate businesses.

He said that the state government has concluded plans to ensure the receipt of the two armoured helicopters ordered by the previous administration for aerial surveillance of oil fields to prevent crude theft.

Governor Wike said that it is important that qualified indigenes of the state are given the opportunity to buy into SPDC as the company sells her onshore oil Wells in their bid to go offshore.

He explained that the involvement of Rivers State indigenes in the ownership of SPDC will strengthen the bond of both parties.

Earlier, Managing Director of SPDC, Mr Osagie Okunbor called for the sustenance of the relationship between the company and the Rivers State Government, which has existed for over 50 years.

He appealed to the governor to work towards enhancing the security of the staff and investments of Shell in the state.

Mr Okunbor assured that SPDC will continue to invest in their host communities to promote better working relationship.

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