The youths of Belema community on Monday shutdown Shell’s flow station and gas plant.
The angry youths accused the multinational company of neglecting them and marginalizing the community for years.
However, the General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, refuted the claims. According to him, a total of $31 billion has been paid by the multinational company to the federal government and Niger Delta Development Commission in the last four years.
Weli said a total of $29.8 billion was paid to the federation account between 2002 and 2016. While another $1.2 billion was paid to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) account in the last four years.
He further stated that the action of the youths is ‘worrisome’ and capable of discouraging investment in the region.
According to Weli, “In 2016 alone, Shell contribution to NDDC was 106.8 million dollars; people need to define their expectation; ask themselves if their expectation is realistic and if SPDC is government.
“Between 2012 and 2016, SPDC JV contributed $29.8 billion to the federation account which flows down to the state governments, local governments and to the communities.
“The business we do add value in several ways through contributions to the federation account and the NDDC.
“SPDC has made several efforts to sensitise the people on how our business is run, so that their expectations can be realistic and align with realities of how we run our business,” he said.
