Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC has made concerted effort to ensure environmental sustainability through risk and impact assessment on the environment, social and health risk in Nigeria.
The corporate Environment Manager, SPDC, Mr Augustine Igbuku made this known in his keynote address tagged: “Adding value to the industry for environmental sustainability: expectations from chemists”.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Symposium Series of the American Chemical Society(ACS), Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter, held in Uyo recently, the keynote speaker maintained that Shell has provided energy responsibly, helping the world improves towards a future in which the energy causes minimal impact on planet where energy is needed to support and improve life for a growing population.
Igbuku insisted that Shell embedded sustainability into projects through risk and impact assessment and managed green house emissions from its operations by ensuring zero flares for new projects.
“We manage green house emissions from our operations by designing and implementing focus abatement projects for facilities and ensuring zero flares for new projects “. He said.
The theme of the Symposium, ” Sustainable Chemistry: Ego- Innovation for Equitable Societies and Industries” provided a platform for the academia and industry to share opportunity in synthesis derivation and application of products across board.
Mr Igbuku explained that there is symbiotic relationship between chemistry, science and industry.
He highlighted the programmes of Shell in the promotion of education in Nigeria for students and lecturers to include Sabbatical, internships,professional chair, centers of excellence, sponsorship of special conferences, workshops and seminars.
The Corporate Environment Manager enumerated the role of chemists in the oil and gas industry to include, seismic activities which provide detailed information on geology, appraisal drilling, development and production, drill exploration wells as well as decommissioning and abandonment.
He also said that apart from the technical skills, a chemist needs other soft skills like effective communication, curiosity, interpersonal relationship,time management to make a good career in the oil and gas industry.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the event, Engr. Etido Inyang, who is also the Chairman Ibom Power Company Ltd, said Akwa Ibom State is collaborating with Federal Government to fight against gas flaring, conserve environment and use the energy to generate electricity and save humanity.
He stated that the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel has made great effort in compliance with green demands and agriculture through the planting of tomatoes and cucumber to ensure food sufficiency in line with the millennium development goals.
