Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has said that insecurity in Niger Delta Communities has hampered the company from carrying out its social responsibilities in the region.

SPDC also said over N200 million had been spent on executing 800 projects in the region from 2006-2008.

Regional Manager, Community Health Relations, Dr. Babatunde Fakunle, stated this in Port Harcourt during a workshop for Niger Delta Journalists on ways of improving community health in the region.

He said that ‘SPDC can not business in an insecure environment that is not conducive for the operators’.

"It is very difficult to carry out our social responsibilities in these insecure communities due to the dangers posed in the area," Fakunle added.

Fakunle described the development of Niger Delta communities as critical, adding that, SPDC has an intensive portfolio for the regional development.

According to him: "The company executes strategic social responsibilities that have direct impact on the rural dwellers".

The company, he said is basically in the region to promote peace, security and wealth creation for the people.

He decried non functional pre- health care facilities in the region and called for sustainable partnership in the regional development.

In his words: "Government presence is not felt in most Niger Delta communities as they lack basic social amenities to aids lives".

The regional manager frowned at the rate of poverty and unemployment ravaging the region and called for the socio-economic development of the region.

Fakunle insisted that the development of the region cannot be done alone by oil companies and called for private partnership.