Residents of Owaza in the Ukwa-West local government area in Nigeria have pledged to establish a dialogue with the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The highest ranking community leader of the region Eze Young Ogbonna expressed his commitment to communication at a two day conference held over the weekend.

According to the Tide, Mr Ogbonna said that by working in partnership with the oil and gas industry, the region will benefit from improved infrastructure, electricity and training opportunities for domestic workers.

He called on the SPDC to maintain its support of such endeavours in order to ensure that the local population also benefits from Nigeria's oil reserves.

The SPDC operates both technical careers courses and the Shell Intensive Training Programme, which is particularly designed to support Nigerian graduates as they look to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry.

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