The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC, have reiterated their commitment to promoting sustainable development in the area of their operations across the country.
Speaking at the 2015 SPDC Joint Venture External Relations Road show and Exhibition in Abuja, the Group Executive Director, Exploration & Production, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, emphasised the need for organisations to operate and deliver services in a manner that is efficient and effective, with minimal impact on the environment.
Baru, who was represented by the General Managing, Planning, Nigeria Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, Mr. Dung Gwom-Bot, maintained that while businesses should strive to be socially equitable and economically viable, they should also focus on meeting the basic needs of the population and future generation.
He said: “It is imperative to take into cognisance that for any growth or development to be successfully sustainable, it must be all encompassing and inclusive, that is, economic growth, environmental stewardship and social inclusion must be inherent. “Opportunities abound for organisations to do more in areas of sustainable development, while we on our part would continue to invest and optimally utilise resources to preserve the environment, provide clean energy, reduce waste and support local businesses for economic stability.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director, SPDC/Country Chari, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said the journey towards sustainability is a continuous process, adding that Shell views sustainability as delivering energy in a responsible way to meet the world’s growing needs.
Okunbor, who was represented by the General Manager, Business and Government Relations, SPDC, Mr. Simbi Wabote, said that a responsible approach to sustainability as practiced by Shell is not just viewed as a matter of principle, but also as making good business sense.
According to him, sustainability allows the company to share benefits with the communities in which it operates, while increasing trust and building lasting and positive relationships.
