Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other international oil companies (IOCs) to prioritise the completion of their projects in the state.
Diri made the call while inaugurating an ultra-modern learning centre and digital library complex jointly funded by the NCDMB, SPDC, Exxon Mobil, Total Energies and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma.
He said timeous funding and completion of meaningful projects already awarded by these organisations at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) and other parts of the state would complement government efforts at engendering infrastructural development of the state.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor expressed the preparedness of his administration to partner with the IOCs and other corporate bodies on big ticket projects that would make a lasting impact in the lives of the people.
He commended NCDMB, SPDC and other financiers for completing the multi-million dollar Learning Centre and Digital Library project, but stressed the need for them to set and stick to the timelines meant for the completion of their projects.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the NDU, Prof. Allen Agih, said the project was the largest intervention undertaken by IOCs throughout the history of the institution.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the SPDC and Country Chair, of 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.
Osagie said he was pleased with 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.
