The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has denied awarding surveillance contract to any former militant in Nigeria's Bayelsa State.
The Anglo-Dutch oil giant described as a ruse the claim that it had awarded surveillance contract to one of the former militant leaders in the oil rich state to guard its pipeline and other facilities in the creeks.
Precious Okolobo, the SPDC spokesman, said on Tuesday that no such contract was awarded to former militant leaders to secure its facilities in the creek of southern Ijaw.
He said the company awarded a surveillance contract to Fanus Koki & Sons Ltd covering Diebu Creek Field in Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa in
continuation of its collaboration with communities in the Niger Delta on security of SPDC facilities.
The SPDC will continue to work with the people in Niger Delta to safeguard the company's oil and gas facilities located within their
communities, Okolobo said.