Shell shuns Nigerian shores, lures oil communities with tech facilities

A major oil exploring company in Nigeria, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, has started a technology-oriented venture with which to pacify the oil producing communities to allow it continue with its business.

This was disclosed on Wednesday during the firm’s public presentation of some new technology-driven programmes, it said are for mutual benefits of host communities where Shell is exploring oil.

But it refused to give reasons for launching the programme in far away Brazil though Nigeria, with the most aggrieved oil communities, is the main beneficiary.

Said Shell’s Global Head of Integrated Brand Communications, Malena Cutuli: “This (programme) is targeted at bringing bright energy ideas into action to benefit local communities around the world, and at highlighting the need for greater global collaboration as to create more energy to meet the world’s growing population.”

But unconfirmed report said the idea of launching the programme outside the shores of Nigeria, a major beneficiary, was because of the ongoing disagreement between the company and government officials on how best to resolve the Niger Delta crisis.

Following attacks on its facilities by the militants fighting government over poor development of the region, Shell was forced to declare force majeure twice between April and August 2016.

Read also: More factories close up as economic recession takes toll on sector

It was gathered that the oil giant was attracted by the peace that is found in Brazil, the 12th oil producing country of the world, to choose it in preference to Nigeria, though the 6th world oil producing nation for the unveiling of its plan for countries it has business in.

A source also disclosed to Ripples Nigeria that the latest legal battle between Shell and Nigeria, over alleged non accounting oil export of over $406.75 million has created some diplomatic face-off, which is yet to be resolved and might have influenced the idea of holding it in another country.

But the company is said to have been finding a way of creating a renewed corporate-community relationship that will see the restive youths in the region maintain the former friendly relationship that had existed before current hostility took its new dimension.

To achieve this, it said it had found some ecology devices mean with which it will find solutions to poor electricity supply to the communities.

“A new solar-generated power services will be deployed along with some entertainment facilities without violating the environment peace.

“Some of the facilities are targeted at having youths being usefully occupied via sports arena and other methods,” it said.

However, it is yet to be known how the various agitating groups in the region will agree to suspend hostilities based on this.

By Emma Eke.

Ripples Nigeria…without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now