Rivers State, Shell Nigeria Partner on Assa North Gas Project

Rivers State and the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) have partnered to build SPDC’s Assa North Gas project, with a capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

According to the people familiar with the project, it has the potential to be one of the largest domestic gas projects in Nigeria when completed.

Mr. Eloka Tasie-Amadi, the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, who spoke at the inauguration event, urged the comrade Orikoha Ekwueme-led newly elected officials of the Cluster Development Board to use the opportunity of leadership to make positive impacts that will improve living standards in their communities.

“The state government is always available to support you. Always speak with your people, including the Community Trust Committees (which were also newly inaugurated). Adequate communication will ensure the buy-in of all your stakeholders.

“Leadership is more of sacrifice; not an opportunity for personal benefit”, he said.

Also, speaking was Mr Igo Weli, the General Manager External Relations, SPDC, said, “The Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), that you signed today, sets the framework for a long-term partnership between SPDC JV and the Egi/Igburu Cluster. The GMoU runs on the principle of community-led development. Today, SPDC JV commits to providing funding to help you realise your community development aspirations.

Represented at the ceremony by SPDC External Relations Manager for Projects and Opportunities, Dr Banji Adekoya, he asked the CDB to “be prudent and implement projects and programmes that will deliver maximum benefits to the Egi/Igburu communities. Note that government, SPDC JV, and the communities that you represent will hold you accountable for the judicious utilisation of the development funds.”

“With the inauguration, SPDC reiterates the company’s commitment to the Assa North Gas Project and to making it an exemplary one, particularly in Nigeria’s quest for energy sufficiency, for power generation and industrialisation,” he said.