Vanguard: Shell EP Africa leadership to comprise 30% Nigerians...New SPDC DMD appointed: "challenging security situation in the Niger Delta as well as the rising incidence of crude oil theft, currently put at 50,000 per day." (ShellNews.net)
By Hector Igbikiowubo
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
SHELL Exploration and Production (EP) Africa leadership is to be made up of 30 per cent Nigerian staff from the beginning of October this year when the headquarters is relocated from the Hague to Lagos.
The company has also announced the appointment of Mr. Mark Corner as the new deputy managing director.
Mr. Chris Finlayson, the outgoing managing director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) made the disclosure while speaking at a diner party organised in honour of senior management staff of the company in Lagos last week.
He disclosed that he aspires to raise Nigerian representation and, also from other African companies of Shell in the future.
He noted that the designation of Lagos as the new headquarters for Shell EP Africa came at a time when there was some speculation about the company’s future in Nigeria, adding that the development was a resounding demonstration of the company’s long term commitment in Nigeria.
Finlayson pointed out that although the African headquarters of Shell has been relocated to Lagos, the new managing director will enjoy the same freedom of actions and responsibilities he had as managing director.
“Let me be clear that despite my presence in Lagos, Basil (the new Nigerian SPDC managing director) will have exactly the same freedom of action and responsibilities as I have had as MD, and I urge you all to give him the same loyal and dedicated support,” Chris implored.
He also disclosed that Mr. Corner will fill the position of production director, adding “I have no doubt that Mark will excel in his new job because of his acumen and resourcefulness, as well as the solid foundations he will be inheriting from both Basil and Joshua.”
He recalled that under his stewardship as managing director, the company was able to make significant progress, including sustaining crude oil production above one million barrels per day since October 2003, while meeting 100 per cent of Nigeria LNG’s gas demand.
Other achievements under his stewardship as managing director include a commitment to meet future levels of funding which will enable the company sign the Nigeria LNG train 6 gas supply agreement next month.
However, Mr Finlayson pointed out that there were also low-lights under his stewardship and that these includes, the challenging security situation in the Niger Delta as well as the rising incidence of crude oil theft, currently put at 50,000 per day.
Also speaking, Mr. Basil Omiyi, the new managing director of SPDC disclosed that he would be leading a team whose immediate focus will be to reposition the business to enable it continue to deliver real value for the benefit of stakeholders. “This will necessarily mean re-working the structure of the business, organisational footprint and our business processes, to facilitate greater speed in proceeding from the point of decision to actual delivery of results. “Second is the challenge of our gas flares down programme, scheduled to achieve set environmental and economic goals in 2008. We remain committed to achieving this target and there are several gas utilisation projects spread across the Niger Delta lined up to help actualise this goal. “In our relationship with the communities, SPDC’s new Sustainable Community Development (SCD) model will play a key role in redefining our social investment in the communities.This we hope to achieve through effective partnerships with government and non-governmental bodies, as well as Nigerian and international development agencies,” he disclosed.He lamented the cycle of criminality in the company’s areas of operation, noting that this has found expression in the proliferation of arms and crude oil theft
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/business/b131082004.html