Amaechi Tasks NLNG On Jobs

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has expressed hope that the relocation of the headquaters of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Company(NLNG) would raise the employment profile of the state.

Rt. Hon.Amaechi gave the indication when the new Managing Director of the company, Mr. Babs Omotowa paid him a courtesy visit in Government House Port Harcourt at the weekend.

Amaechi while congratulating the new managing director on his appointment said,”…Rivers people are waiting for you to build your headquarters as soon as possible because once you start, employment will be created through that process. There is no way you will build a ten-storey building and use only 500 workers, it certainly will be above that.

“ Eighty percent of the 500 workers may likely come from Rivers State. There is need for NLNG to provide opportunities for Rivers people”.

He also expressed hope that the company would  improve on its social responsibility activities by collaborating with the state government in the area of health.

The Governor urged the company to fasten the completion of its school projects noting that, “ we are in dire need of that school so that we can begin to train our children with the facilities. We have completed one and about three of such schools are almost ready. We will be glad if NLNG can complete the one you are building quickly.”

Amaechi assured that the government would continue to strengthen security in the state noting that security was crucial in boosting business. He, however, stressed that security challenges abound in all parts of the world and not peculiar to Nigeria.

The Rivers State Chief Executive identified poverty and injustice as major causes of crime adding,” if we address the issue of unemployment and wealth creation, our crime rate would reduce, and we are working hard to do that in Rivers State”.

Earlier, the new  NLNG boss, Mr Babs Omotowa commended the Governor for creating a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive in the state, stating that the current security status spurred the company to relocate its headquarters  to the state.

Mr. Omotowa further stated that the courtesy visit was aimed at intimating the Governor of the company’s plans to relocate finally after the announcement last year, adding that already 70 per cent of its staff are now resident in the state..

He also expressed the state government support in the promotion of its health care schemes for its host community..

The NLNG boss lauded the Governor for his developmental projects,” the infrastructural development that we are witnessing and seeing in roads, schools, healthcare; these have also contributed to the conducive environment that we have found ourselves,” he observed.