The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and its joint venture partners have provided multi-million dollar infrastructure for the Federal Government-owned Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State.
The projects include a 220-capacity set of auditoriums, eight lecture rooms, one e-classroom and 14
staff offices.
Inaugurating the projects, Delta Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the facilities would enhance learning and research in the three-year-old specialised institution set up in response to the information and technology revolution in the global maritime industry, an area Nigeria looks at for developing more professionals for its blue economy ambition.
Okowa urged other oil companies and businesses particularly those in the maritime sector to emulate the gesture of the SPDC JV in helping Nigeria to develop future maritime professionals.
“Infrastructure such as what Shell and its partners have provided and still plan to provide forms the
bedrock of meaningful learning, teaching and research that can stand our institutions out in global ranking while helping the university to overcome the chronic shortage in infrastructure,” Okowa, represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba.
Presenting the projects to the university community on behalf of the SPDC JV, the Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbor, said the projects were fully equipped with requisite furniture and equipment.
He said a solar-powered potable water system had also been provided to support the facilities and the university community.
Okunbor, represented at the virtual project-opening ceremony by SPDC Country Head, Corporate Relations, Mr Igo Weli, said: “Our focus is on projects considered as very important to the success of the nascent and premier maritime university in Nigeria.’’
“As part of our social investment initiatives, the SPDC JV comprising NNPC, TEPNG and Agip, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the university in 2019 to develop critical facilities needing immediate attention for a smooth take-off.
“We are happy with the progress we have made,’’ he said in a statement by Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, the Media Relations Manager, a copy of which was given to Persecondnews.
Also speaking on the occasion, Mr Bala Wunti, the Group General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), the investment arm of NNPC, said: “NNPC is an avid believer in investing and touching the lives of all Nigerians and the environment.
“We will continue to support our JV operating partner, SPDC, to intervene in critical areas in infrastructure, health and education where we can make a difference and spread the benefit of our investments to all Nigerians.”
Wunti, represented by NAPIMS Deputy Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Edith Bunmi Lawson, said: “NNPC is an avid believer in investing and touching the lives of all Nigerians and the environment. We will continue to support our JV operating partner, SPDC, to intervene in critical areas in infrastructure, health and education where we can make a difference and spread the benefit of our investments to all Nigerians.”
He urged the university community to put the facilities to good use and maintain them.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adigio said the facilities would help to put the Faculty of Engineering on a sound footing and solve its office accommodation problems.
“The projects are a real plus to the university and will promote a healthy and comfortable learning environment. We appreciate what SPDC and its partners have done.”
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