The Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has explained what Nigeria stands to gain after the construction of a multi-billion naira Assa North/Ohaji South Gas Plant in Imo State, expected to be completed by 2024.

Speaking at the graduation and presentation of start-up packs ceremony to 40 youths selected from the area after completing their over one-year skills acquisition programme, the General Manager, Corporate Relations of the SPDC, Mr. Igo Weli, represented by Corporate Relations Manager (Projects and Opportunities), Nuka Hope, said that the skill training was jointly provided to the youths by the SPDC, Darmanlong Engineering Limited, Total Energies and Nigeria Agip Oil (NAOC), with the collaboration of the Nigeria Content and Monitoring Board (NCMB).

The graduands were selected from host communities of Assa, Ochia, Awarra, Obile, Avu, Obisima, Obuomadike, Ununwaku, Ohoba, Obitti, and Umuapu.

The General Manager said: “With the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the project has commenced the implementation of the Host Community Development Truce (HCDT) that will continue to drive and bring sustainable development to the people.

“I, therefore, enjoin all stakeholders in the Assa -North, Ohaji South Gas project to join hands, team up and work together to meet mutually beneficial goals.”

In his speech, Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Prof. Eugene Opara, said the state government would work with the SPDC, Darmanlong and other oil firms to build the capacity of youths and reduce unemployment in oil producing communities, urging the graduands to utilise the opportunity they got.

He assured the graduating youths that the state government would ensure that the promises made to equip them are actualised, commending Shell and other firms for the opportunity granted the youths.

Commenting also, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Darmanlong Engineering Limited, Laurent Maubre, represented by the Head of Human Resources, Godwin Idoko -Ogala, said they were delighted that the trainings were carried out successfully, stressing the commitment of the firms to ensure the youths are engaged to guarantee peaceful atmosphere.

The representative of the Nigeria Content and Monitoring Board (NCMB), Tinbiri Augustine, said the board would continue to ensure that local content for the capacity building project were in consonance as well as cascading the training programmes and capacity building. (The Guardian)

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