Bayelsa Government Demands More Investment From Shell

The government of Bayelsa has requested Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to invest more in infrastructure and energy development in order to raise living conditions in the state.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the deputy governor of Bayelsa, made the call at a business meeting with SPDC management in Port Harcourt, according to a statement released on Thursday by Abimbola Essien-Nelson, the company's media relations manager.

SPDC discovered oil for the first time in Nigeria in 1956 at the Otuabagi hamlet in the Oloibiri fields in Bayelsa.

The Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 was sold by SPDC in 2015 for $2.4 billion to a local company, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Ltd.

Although the company no longer produces liquefied natural gas for export in Nigeria, it nevertheless maintains gas collection infrastructure throughout Bayelsa.

“The relationship between Bayelsa State and SPDC is cordial. Thank you for your investments in our state.

“Thank you for your contributions to support development efforts in the state.

"But how do we improve on this and bring dividends to our people? There is still so more to unearth in our state.

“This meeting is to see how we can work together to create a suitable environment for SPDC to operate and generate value for all of us,” Ewhrudjakpo said.

According to him, the state administration was prepared to work with Shell to increase its business in Bayelsa in an effort to lower youth unrest, unemployment, and drug usage.

He claimed that using sports to keep kids away from vices, particularly drug misuse and violent crimes, had been a major success for the state.

Ewhrudjakpo asserts that Bayelsa youngsters have demonstrated that they are capable of providing good value if given the right support.

He said that despite the government also organising the yearly Bayelsa Wrestling Classic to inspire more young people in the state to take up sports, the state placed third in the most recent National Sports Festival in Edo.

Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, was also reported by Essien-Nelson as promising the company's support for the government's initiatives to enhance the environment in Bayelsa.

“It means that there is a plan. As a company, we key into your vision because we know that if you are successful it will help us and help our business environment.

“We commend you and His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, for what you are doing to support business in Bayelsa State,” Okunbor said.

Okunbor was represented by Igo Weli, Director of the SPDC and Head of Corporate Relations for Nigeria.

He praised the Bayelsa government for its achievements in the state's sports development efforts.

The Bayelsa Government delegation includes Dr Ebiere Jones, Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Baraladei Igali, Director of Sports Braveman Wodi, and Hon. Tare Porri, Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Sports.