Shell to build 10km gas line in Abia
From Steve Oko, Umuahia
Oil multinational, Shell, has hinted it would build a 10 km gas line in Abia State which would supply gas to Osisioma and Ariaria all in Aba, the economic and commercial hub of the state.
Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas Ltd, Mr. E D Ubong , who disclosed this when he visited Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu at Government House Umuahia, apologised to the state for the failure of Shell to discharge its social responsibilities to the people.
He confessed that the oil giant had not done enough for Abia as it’s host community in the over 60 years of its operation in the state.
Ubong said that though the company had made some attempts in the past, such efforts were not enough as ” the first son” in meeting the expectations of the people of the state.
His words: “We thank you for your patience. We have had a long relationship with Abia State.A lot is expected of us.We know we have not done enough”.
He noted that “Abia is within the catchment area of the undergraduate and post graduate scholarship of the company”, yet the state had not fully benefited from such privileges.
The MD commended Gov. Ikpeazu for his many developmental strides, adding that said he has followed closely the Governors achievements especially in project delivery.
“We have followed you closely and we know you are a man of projects,everywhere we see you commission projects.we will want you to come and see our construction site where you will inspect the gas line”, he said.
Responding, Gov. Ikpeazu thanked the Shell team for the visit but regretted that the company’s presence was yet to be felt in the state despite the fact it had stayed over 60 years in Abia.
According to the Governor, it is a serious error for Shell to operate in Abia for over 60 years without any impact.
He , therefore, urged Management of the company to be alive to its corporate social responsibility.
“I think our youths demand some commendation for being peaceful”, Ikpeazu said, while urging Shell to partner with his government in giving hope to the youths.
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