Reps wade into Shell’s planned relocation from Rivers

THE speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara on Thursday promised a  thorough investigation into the planned relocation of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) from Rivers over alleged total insecurity in the Niger Delta Region

Dogara gave the assurance in Abuja yesterday during the  inauguration of  the House Ad Hoc committee put in place  to investigate the planned relocation of the company and report back within four weeks.

The speaker who spoke through the House Deputy Majority Whip, Hon Pally Iriase said that improved relationship between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta region was crucial in addressing some economic challenges confronting the Country.

According to him, “this is because the Niger Delta region sit atop oil wells where much of our revenue as a nation is derived from.

“Relocation by the SPDC is said to be based on security concerns today. This has generated outcry and agitation by the people and if we as a House do not address it, it may escalate and result to violence and insecurity”.

The Speaker pointed out that the onus lied on the Federal Government and the Legislature to ensure that justice on Niger Delta region was not denied.

He urged the committee to come up with report that would be fair as well to forestall any impending crisis in the Region.

In his brief remark, the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Hon Ishiaka Ibrahim, said that the committee would meet with all the relevant stakeholders to address the matter.

According to him, no party should muse any ulterior motive because the committee would be fair in the process.

“We shall engage all relevant stakeholders in order to come up with report and recommendation that would stand the test of time

“We shall also consider all factors surrounding the conception of the decision of the SPDC planned relocation from Port Harcourt,” Ibrahim said.
It would be recalled that the House on January 26, adopted a motion sponsored by Rep Kingsley Chinda, to set up an adhoc committee to prevail on Shell’s planned relocation from Port Harcourt.

Chinda expressed concern that several youths and stakeholders in the region were provoked and were already protesting the planned relocation which will further escalate militant activities in the region.

The youth restiveness Chinda said would affect the Nigerian economy that was already experiencing recession due to low crude oil output.

The House, therefore, called on the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NPIMS) and Shell to suspend the planned relocation and allow it to intervene.