Shell, NDDC partner
in Niger Delta road project
By LOUIS IBA
Monday
March 6, 2006
The contract award process for the Ogbia-Nembe road project
is being firmed up following the signing of the partnership
agreement by SPDC and NDDC for construction of the highway.
Bids from three companies which were invited to quote for
the project were opened at a public ceremony at the NDDC boardroom
in the presence of officials of the two establishments and
from NAPIMS and the bidding firms.
The Ogbia-Nembe road (which is the second phase of the 66km
Imiringi-Ogbia-Nembe road project) will help to connect 13
communities in Bayelsa State to the capital at Yenagoa and
thus open up the Ijaw heartland to economic development and
growth. The partnership commits both NDDC and SPDC to the
construction of the 28-kilometre road at an estimated cost
of $50 million, Shell said in its bulletin.
“This is SPDC’s single largest and most expensive
community project ever and the tie-up with NDDC is also the
largest partnership agreement for a community development
project, and potentially the highest public-private partnership
of its kind in Africa.”
Shell Nigeria Country Chair and SPDC’s Managing Director,
Basil Omiyi, had led a team which included Corporate Affairs
Director, Mutiu Summonu and External Affairs Director, Precious
Omuku, to the signing ceremony while NDDC was represented
by their chairman, Sam Edem and Managing Director, Emmanuel
Aguariavwodo, amongst others.
Also present were Bayelsa State Commissioner for Local Government
and Community Development, Zimughan Fedude and NAPIMS General
Manager Operations, Kunle Olaosebikan.
Basil said: “The partnership bears special signifiance
because it is the first with a Nigerian development organisation,
and the largest development partnership we are entering into
in terms of cost value.
“It demonstrates our determination to contribute to
a future of progress for the Niger Delta and also reflects
our confidence in the ability of our partner, the NDDC, to
successfully lead and deliver a project of this magnitude
on time and within budget.”
The NDDC chairman describd the event as “historical
and a giant step towards ensuring a peaceful operational environment
for oil exploration in the Niger Delta.”
Zimughan praised SPDC for being a pioneer in oil and gas operations
as will as community development and urged other companies
to emulate the example.
The Ogbia-Nembe road is scheduled for completion in 2008.
The project will be executed by NDDC with SPDC providing “governance
and oversight.” Already, an interface management document
has been agreed detailing the responsibility of each partner.
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