From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Belema and Offoi-Ama communities in Kula Kingdom, in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, have disagreed over alleged investment of over N600 million for the development of the area by the firm.Shell’s General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, said the firm had been effective in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to develop the host communities in the area.
Weli disclosed that the oil giant had invested N600 million, adding that about N352 million was invested in the improvement of school infrastructure, sanitation and health outreach programmes.
He added that Shell had constructed walkways and electricity supply in Kula kingdom in the last 10 years, adding that N263 million was expended for university scholarships and others.
But, in a swift reaction, the two communities yesterday, debunked the claims, saying the company only used divide-and-rule tactics in its operations in the area.
Speaking for the host communities, Chairman of Chiefs and Elders of Belema, Chief Tamunomiebi Felix, said if the multi-national oil firm had invested the said amount of money, there would have been visible development in the communities.
Felix called on Shell to divest the oil platform to an indigenous firm, adding that the communities would not allow them (SPDC) to operate the facility again, stressing that nothing had been done for Belema and Offoi-Ama.