Barely few months after Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC announced its desire to resume operations in Imo State after many years of absence, the oil firm has mobilized its workers to return to the site of the multi billion naira Assa North/Ohaji South Gas Development project in Ohaji/ Egbema LGA of the State.
The SPDC had suspended operations at the site two years ago, but has returned to the investment after the intervention of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Recall that on August 4, 2022, SPDC announced its intention to resume operations in Imo State, after a meeting between Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and SPDC Managing Director, Osagie Okunbor was held in Abuja.
The state government had also assured the oil conglomerate of its commitment to tackle oil bunkering and oil theft prevalent in the area.
SPDC General Manager (Security), Bob Fuss, as a follow up after the SPDC MD meeting with Governor Uzodimma, led officials of the company, on an official visit to the State Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Okechukwu Ugorji, where he announced plans of the company to return to site.
In 2019, the SPDC had performed the ground breaking ceremony of the project which has the capacity to produce 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
Adjudged as one of the largest domestic gas project in the country, initial completion of the project was scheduled for 2023. However, security breaches in the area forced the project to be put on hold in 2021.
With security adequately restored by the Imo State government, available reports to INNONEWS, indicate the project is on the verge of being kick started again with human and material resources by SPDC assured of their safety by the State government.
With the resumption of operations, over 980 employment opportunities and 2, 612 sub contracting chances, valued at N1.6billion earlier said to be affected when the construction work was put on hold, would be restored.