• Thursday, March 28, 2024
businessday logo

BusinessDay

Shell commits to $5m project support to Nigeria Maritime University Okekenkoro

Maritime Academy

Shell on Wednesday, signed a commitment to the tune of $5 million or N1.8 billion worth of infrastructural support to Nigeria’s first Maritime University in Okekenkoro, Delta State.

This is as the authorities of the university said they never contacted Shell for help, but it was the oil firm that sought them out to offer. The revelation was made by the vice chancellor, Ongoebi Maureen Etebu, on Wednesday, at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would govern the process of support and projects under the support package.

Etebu said: “The university didn’t see this support coming because we didn’t come to SPDC asking for help. That SPDC sought us out on their own accord is a big indication of the importance you attach to human capital development.

“From the university, we are grateful. SPDC, you are the only company – up till now – that has stretched forth a hand of fellowship to the Nigerian Maritime University.”

In his offer statement, the country chair Shell companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Osagie Okunbor, said the donations which would be staggered over three years would focus on needs in the order of the University’s priorities, commencing with Lecture theatre complex. The proposed Lecture Theatre Complex designed by the University is a two-floor furnished building and comprises of three lecture auditoria, eight classrooms, one e-classroom, 14 offices, and 18 conveniences.

Activities to be undertaken to deliver the project include contracting process for award of construction and Project Manager, Site Clearing/Setting out, Building, Electrical, mechanical works, Finishing, External works including landscaping, Furnishing, and Site Clean-up and Demobilisation.

The MD, who appreciated the support, collaboration and encouragement of their joint venture partners and NAPIMS that enabled SPDC JV’s commitment to support the development of the Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko, said the commitment was in response to Federal Government’s drive in 2018 to ensure successful implementation of NMU.

He went on: “Following meetings with the Minister of State for Petroleum, SPDC JV has committed $5m to the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) and this support and donation of infrastructure will be phased over 3 years. This support ties to SPDC’s Global Social Investment Theme (Education). It also links to our longstanding support for education and capacity development of the Nigerian youth.

“Interactions with the university leadership, has enabled us to tie our support to the university own determined needs in order of priority. These needs are Lecture Halls, Student Hostels and Waters works (including treatment and distribution).

“Upon completion of the Lecture Hall Complex project, we will embark on the execution of the next high priority project. The MoU being signed today will provide the management framework for overseeing the successful delivery of the Lecture Hall Complex with both SPDC and NMU representation on the Project Management Committee (PMC).

“SPDC JV has a long history of support for education in Nigeria as part of SPDC’s commitment to the holistic education of Nigerians especially young people from her areas of operations.”