YENAGOA (Sundiata Post) – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and other international oil companies (IOCs) to ensure completion of their projects in the state.
Diri made the call on Thursday at the inaugurating of an ultra-modern Learning Centre and Digital Library Complex at the state owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.
The project which was jointly funded by the NCDMB, SPDC, Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Exxon Mobil, Total Energies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) comprised a cafeteria, water treatment plant, 500KVA generator and 33KVA transformer.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, he said timely funding and completion of projects at NDU and other parts of the state would complement state government efforts at providing infrastructural to the state.
A statement by Mr. Doubara Atasi, Media Aide to the Deputy Governor, quoted the governor as saying his administration was prepared to partner with the IOCs and other corporate bodies on big-ticket projects that would make lasting impact on the lives of the people.
He commended NCDMB and SPDC and its partners for the completion of the project, but stressed the need for them to set and stick to the timelines meant for the completion of their projects.
The governor described the library as strategic to intellectual and research development of every university saying he was confident that NDU management would maintain and also make the best use of the facility.
His words: “It is delightful to be here for this inauguration and I want to thank the NCDMB, the SPDC and its partners who pooled resources together to fund this project.
“Having said that, I want to challenge the partners to do more concerning other hibernating projects in the Niger Delta University and other parts of our state.
“We look forward to further collaboration with the partners; In fact, Bayelsa State is set to partner with you on other projects that will impact on the lives of our people.
“This digital library and learning centre is a shot in the arm of this university. I am confident that the NDU management would properly maintain this edifice.
“For us, the time to give excuses by students for any failure has expired; likewise for lecturers for failure to carry out research.”
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the NDU, Professor Allen Agih, said the project was the largest intervention undertaken by IOCs throughout the history of the institution.
Professor Agih, who expressed gratitude to the sponsors for the completion of the project, disclosed that it took 17 years for it to be completed, after it commenced in 2007.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Matthew Seiyefa, noted that the well-resourced facility would enhance learning, research and the infrastructural landscape of the academic institution.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, pointed out that the imposing structure was designed to be one of the signature projects in the Niger Delta.
Mr Osagie said he was pleased at the completion of the project and saluted the collaborative efforts of the management of the NDU, the Bayelsa State Government, NNPC, NCDMB, NAOC, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria.
Speaking through Mrs Edith Lawson, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream, Mr. Bala Wunti, said the establishment of the elibrary embodied the spirit of progress and innovation in today’s interconnected world where information is key.
