Barely few months after Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC announced its desire to resume operations in Imo State after two years of absence, the oil firm has mobilized its workers and return to the site of the multi billion naira Assa North/Ohaji South Gas Development project in Ohaji/ Egbema LGA of the State.
Dr Okechukwu Ugorji, the state Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante’s Affairs disclosed this to news in Owerri while highlighting the efforts of the State Government in improving the welfare of her citizens.
Recall that SPDC had suspended operations at the site about two years ago, but has agreed to return to the investment after the intervention of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration based on the Abuja meeting they held on the 4th of last month between Imo State Government and SPDC management as led by SPDC Managing Director, Osagie Okunbor.
The state government during the meeting had also assured the oil conglomerate of its commitment to tackle oil bunkering and oil theft prevalent in the area.
SPDC General Manager (Security), Bob Fuss, as a follow up geared towards consolidation after the SPDC MD meeting with Governor Uzodimma, led officials of the company, on an official visit to the State Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Okechukwu Ugorji in Owerri where he announced plans of the company to return to site.
In 2019, the SPDC had performed the ground breaking ceremony of the project which has the capacity to produce 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
Adjudged as one of the largest domestic gas project in the country, initial completion of the project was scheduled for 2023. However, security breaches in the area forced the project to be put on hold in 2021.
With security adequately restored by the State government, there are serious indications that the project is on the verge of being kick started again with human and material resources by SPDC as the state government assured them of their maximum safety.
However,with the resumption of operations, over 980 employment opportunities and 2, 612 sub contracting chances, valued at N1.6billion earlier said to be affected when the construction work was put on hold, would be restored as stated by SPDC management.
It’s equally expected that the high cost of cooking gas within the area and its environ when fully began operation will be a thing of the past.
