By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), yesterday, announced the donation of $1 million to support efforts to provide relief to over half a million people displaced in flood impacted communities of Borno State.
Shell is the operator of the NNPC Limited, SPDC, TotalEnergies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Joint Venture (SPDC JV)
Managing Director, SPDC, and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, was quoted as saying: “The donation will go into the procurement and distribution of relief materials and medical supplies for displaced residents who are now in urgent need of critical aid.”
Mr Okunbor added that a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), local to the region with understanding of working with displaced people, will manage the distribution of the materials in collaboration with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, according to the company’s statement.
According to him, the SPDC JV intervention was in response to the alert issued in September by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), following the significant rise in water levels caused by the overflowing of the Alau Dam, and the calls for support by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum.
“We consider providing this support to be of necessity to demonstrate our commitment to our society and the duty of care to our people. It expresses our deep concern for the victims of the devastating floods in Borno State,” Mr. Okunbor said.
He noted that the SPDC JV’s gesture is a continuation of similar assistance given over the years to the region that is recovering from recent conflicts.
The donation will go into the procurement and distribution of relief materials and medical supplies for displaced residents who are now in urgent need of critical aid.
Also commenting, the Chief Upstream Operating Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, said: “The urgency in providing this relief is important given the region’s existing vulnerabilities, with people recently barely recovering from conflict-induced displacement.
“The flooding has severely disrupted socio-economic activities, with women and children being disproportionately affected and we are glad that the joint venture is able to provide succour at this time.”
Mr. Wunti added that, “As a responsible corporate organization, NNPC is glad to support the SPDC Joint Venture in this essential activity.
“Our thoughts are with those affected and with the government agencies working tirelessly to provide relief. We pledge to support ongoing efforts through immediate humanitarian aid and long-term partnerships for sustainable recovery.”
