MEETING OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED (SPDC) WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NIGERIA HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES AGENCY (NIHSA) IN ABUJA ON 4TH SEPTEMBER, 2018.
The representatives of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) met with the Ag. Director General and the management staff of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) at the Agency’s Headquarter Office in Abuja on Tuesday, 4th September, 2018 at 3.00pm.
2. The SPDC represented by Surv. Peter Evarie – Manager Geomatics for Shell in Nigeria and Engr. Falaye Bankole – Head, Offshore & Metocean for Shell in Nigeria was received by the Ag.Director-General (NIHSA), Ahmed M. Bashar and the management staff of the Agency.
3. The meeting discussed the need to strengthen the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties (NIHSA and Shell Nigeria) for the mutual benefits of both organisations particularly with regard to water/river management and data and information sharing for flood forecasting, flood early warning and flood mitigation and prevention measures in the Niger Delta/Coastal Areas in Nigeria.
4. Noting the need to improve the cooperation and collaboration between the parties, especially to reinforce the areas and forms of cooperation that have been identified in the Articles 4 and 5 of the MoU, the parties agreed to implement the Establishment of a Working Group (in accordance with the Article 6) to draw up and harmonise the programme of activities between the two organisations.
5. The Working Group was proposed to be made up of 6 members (3 members each from NIHSA and SPDC). It was agreed that the process for nomination of members into the Working Group by both parties will be concluded between October 22 and 26, 2018 while the inauguration of the Working Group will take place at the SPDC Nigeria Office in Lagos at a date to be agreed to by both parties.
6. Notwithstanding the establishment of the Working Group, both parties agreed to improve on the level of communication and collaboration for exchange of hydrological and hydrometeorological data and information for the management and sustenance of the operations of both organisations.
7. Specifically, the SPDC requested NIHSA to be availing it regular hydrological data at Lokoja station and at least two other stations-one data point each upstream of Lokoja on River Niger and Benue while SPDC will provide NIHSA access to its website for access to the available hydrometeorological data within its area of operation in the Niger Delta area
8. All other form of requests and collaboration in line with the MoU shall be detailed in programme of activities to be harmonised by the Working Group. It is to be noted, however, that the work of the Working Group can be reviewed by both parties from time to time to meet the need of both Organisations.
9. Both organisations discussed the current state of water levels upstream and downstream of Lokoja, flood warning issued by NIHSA and management of release of water by Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro Dams on Niger River and Lagdo Dam (Cameroon Republic) on the River Benue. NIHSA shall continue current coordination roles and influence dam water release strategy such that the impact on the environment is minimised.
10. Done at Abuja on Tuesday, 4th September, 2018.
| Signature:……………………………….
Ahmed M. Bashar Ag. Director General Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) |
Signature:…………………………………….
Surv. Peter Evarie Manager Geomatics The Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd |
