SHELL NEW MD, OSAGIE OKUNBOR FACES TURBULENT TIMES HEAD ON. AS FRESH TROUBLE CROP UP IN THE SALE OIL BLOCKS

The newly appointed Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor may be bracing up for a turbulent times as the helmsman of the Oil Exploration Company. Okunbor who took over from Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu recently is faced with battle to remain in charge as movement within and outside the organisation have risen up to see him out of the position, the forces are claiming he (Okunbor) lacks necessary technical, operational and leadership qualities to lead the company

According to the protest letter written by internal force within the organisation, they claim Okunbor is not fit for the position, ‘For emphasis, Shell is a technically-oriented International Oil Company (IOC) and as such, if we check all past Shell (SPDC) Managing Directors (MDs) there is no one that does not have an experience background in Exploration, Production and Engineering. So how come a ‘novice’ in these areas should be projected and appointed by Shell Management as the next MD/Country Chair of Shell (SPDC) Nigeria?

‘He does not have the capacity to carry relevant stakeholders along or manage Shell (SPDC) operations in Nigeria. Without mincing words, making Mr. Osagie Okunbor the next MD/Country Chair of Shell (SPDC), Nigeria, to take over from Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, will be the ‘biggest’ mistake and a ‘corporate blunder’ Shell will ever make. It will be like Shell using its own hands to ‘destroy’ the company’s operations in Nigeria. Again, this is no exaggeration, but stating the bitter truth and the undeniable fact as we see it.’

However in a latest report flying around Mr. Osagie Okunbor and Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke would soon be guests of The Federal House of Representatives to explain the underhand dealings been reported in the sale of Shell Oil blocks and other properties. The House noted that some “discrepancies and insider trading arrangements” within SPDC on the bidding process for the blocks had been reported.

The House named Gokana and Tai (Ogoni), Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa Oil Field (Abia) and Adoni, Opobo, Boni (Rivers) as the communities were the blocks are located. And it has mandated the committees on Local Content, Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Justice to invite the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Managing Director of SPDC with a view to investigating the bidding process of the said Oil Blocks.

Recall Shell in it's divestment plan disposed about $15billion assets worldwide last year.