Move Hqts To Producing Areas, Amaechi Tells Oil Firms

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has urged oil multinationals in the country to relocate their headquarters to states that produce oil  to create employment and development opportunities for the people in the oil-rich zone.

Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Roundtable Discussion on the Niger Delta, organised by the Embassy of The Netherlands, at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, yesterday Governor Amaechi expressed disappointment that most oil companies are located outside the states they extract the oil from.

“When you are going to discuss issues on Niger Delta, you must also put on the table the fact that 60 to 80 per cent of the oil companies are located outside where they extract the oil from.  I asked AGIP Oil Company that same question two or three weeks ago and I said you are transferring your workers from Port Harcourt to Abuja… Shell has that same problem; SHELL has a company called SNEPCO.  They say they extract oil from offshore.  Where is the offshore located?  Behind Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State”.

TOTAL for instance, has no business having its headquarters outside the Niger Delta. MOBIL has no business outside the region when the huge investment MOBIL has is in Akwa Ibom State”, Amaechi said.

According to him, it is the responsibility of government and development partners to provide legitimate means of livelihood for the people.

“If we are going to address sustainability of development, before you talk about good governance, you must talk about food.  We must focus on providing food and providing food is not going from house to house and say take food from us. We are not socialists. It is providing an economic environment that allows a man to exploit his natural resources and his capabilities at seeking employment and that does not happen in the country currently…”, Amaechi added.

Governor Amaechi said efforts are being made by state governments across the country, including the Niger Delta to pursue a transparent means of economic development.

“So, first and foremost, before you talk about good governance and transparency and accountability, you must talk about economic development.  I agree that…good governance cannot be separated from economic development.  I agree…completely but in whatever form, the people do not want to know what is good governance, what they want to know is the ability of government and the development partners to put food on their table”.

The governor said the people in the Niger Delta need basic development opportunities that would address the basic issues of injustice and development.

The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria and Chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Bert J. Ronhaar, said peace, stability and security were needed for sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

“Sustainable development for the people of the Niger Delta requires peace and security and stability. It requires also combating corruption, urban criminality, illegal bunkering and then injustice for all”.

He said safeguarding the Niger Delta environment was an essential part of sustainable development for the people of the oil-rich region.

Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghadiomhe (left) and Chief Tony Anenih, at the Peoples Democratic Party South-South Zonal Congress in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.