Traditional
rulers and other stakeholders of Exxonmobil’s core host communities in Akwa
Ibom State have urged the Federal Government to compel more international oil
companies to move their offices to their areas of operation.
In a
communiqué made available to Daily Sun and signed by the paramount ruler of
Ibeno and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Edidem
Effiong Achianga, the paramount ruler of Eket, HRM, Edidem E.C.D. Abia, the
Chairman of the core community technical forum and former Minister of Land,
Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, alongside 10 others, the
royal fathers and technical committee leaders said the onus for the relocation
of international oil companies to their areas of operation rests on the Federal Government since it has
60 per cent investment as against 40 per cent by the Joint Venture Partners,
against which it should show commitment and give a clear directive to its
partners to relocate.
According to
the forum, the recent attempt by the House of Representatives to settle the
issue of relocation through a motion was wrong since it is solely the
responsibility of the executive arm of government to give such a directive as
announced by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during his tour of the state
earlier this year.
They slammed
a section of the leadership of the House of Representatives for allowing
selfish interest to becloud their sense of judgment and patriotism when they
kicked against the motion because they appeared not to be in touch with the
people, who have persistently been clamouring for a restructuring of the
country in line with fiscal federalism.
“When the
federation is restructured, would the IOCs remain in Lagos to exploit the
resources of the Niger Delta region? Investments in the mainstay of the
country’s economy should not be managed by “squatter” companies operating from
briefcases and computers with a readiness to leave as soon as the oil is
finished?” they asked rhetorically.
They
reiterated that all constraints earlier cited by the oil company in the past
have been overtaken by developments in the polity as the availability of GSM
and broadband infrastructure have made communication a lot better now.
“An airport
is now available within 30 minutes from its operational area. Infrastructure
facilities are better improved and nearly perfect.”
According to
them, “Exxonmobil is deeply worried about exposing its expatriate and other
senior workers to the hazards of the environmental pollution and devastation
they have caused through long years of negligent operation; they have refused
to move because they know the level of destruction their operations have
brought to the land and people of Akwa Ibom State and so they believe the environment
is unsafe, health-wise, for their senior staff considering the frequency of
early deaths and reduced life span of the inhabitants of the area.”
In Sun news report; They said
just as Federal Government agencies had moved from Lagos to Abuja, office and
residential accommodation would be readily available once the company indicates
a commitment to move. “Even in Lagos, Exxonmobil is still squatting in a rented
office accommodation owned by Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited and using facilities in
hotels (some with tunnels to its offices) and setup by its proxies in Lagos.
“The excuse
recently canvassed by Exxonmobil that its three companies are coordinated from
Lagos office is grossly deficient, untenable and not even worth discussing. It
is a mere hyperbole designed to cover the real reason for its refusal to
relocate. Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited has been bought over by NIMPCO and thus
nullified the argument.”
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