20-03-09 The people of coastal settlement of Bilabiri I & II, Agoro and Agorogbene, on the Atlantic fringe of Ekeremor and Sagbama local government area in the Bayelsa West senatorial districts had cause to smile as the Anglo Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) commissioned the Mein Cluster Development Board projects worth over N 23 mm.
No fewer than 58 natives of Bilabiri I & II in post-primary schools and 12 in post-secondary schools were awarded scholarship worth N 30,000 and N 75,000 each under the Global Memorandum of Understanding the company entered into with the board.

The company had earlier commissioned its first set of projects, including local market boat, 10 Deep Sea Fishing Boats, 10 no. 15HP engines and 2 no. 40HP engines in Warri as well as water scheme at Agorogbene, while a steel footbridge, science laboratory block in Agoro, community town hall, public and micro credit in Agorogbene, water project for Bilabiri I & II and market boat for Bilabiri II are ongoing.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Yenagoa, SPDC Government and Community Relations Manager (Central), Mr Funkakpo Fufeyin, called on the Mein Cluster Development Board "to ensure that the projects are well maintained and run profitable to the communities."

Describing the projects as a testimony of SPDC's commitment to improving lives in the Niger Delta, he said the projects would help to facilitate sustainable development in the communities, particularly in the key areas of economic empowerment, human capital development and social infrastructure.
"Our participation in the GMoU is evidence of our commitment to sustaining our corporate social responsibility programme through our support in developing our local communities and managing the environmental impact of our operations responsibly as well as promoting economic prosperity," he said.

Earlier, the chairman of Mein Cluster Development Board, Ati Robert, commended the company for the award of scholarship to indigenes of Bilabiri I & II in post-primary and post-secondary schools, assuring that the communities would continue to partner with SPDC to ensure hitch-free operation in the area.
Robert, who said the cluster was set up with the aim of promoting sustainable development, peace and security in the area as well as providing open and accountable governance, strengthening member communities and their capacity to plan, design and implement their own development agencies, called on the local and state governments and other stakeholders to avail the communities all necessary assistance that would bring development and peace to the people.