Multi-national oil companies operating in the Niger Delta, have been assured of an enabling environment to carry on their business activities when they comply with the Federal Government’s directive to relocate their administrative headquarters to their various operational bases in the region.
Giving the assurance in Bomadi, Delta State, ex-militant leader and Delta State Chairman, Phase 3 ex-militants, Preye Ekpebide (ambassador of peace), said ex-agitators would defend oil companies in the areas of peace and security.
He called on multi-national oil companies to comply with the Federal Government’s directive without further hesitation, as the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who gave the directive, spoke the minds of youths of the region.
He said that Niger Delta youths were aware of the benefits of relocating their administrative headquarters to the region having had much enlightenment over the years, as he allayed their fears of insecurity, saying that youths of the region would work for the sustenance and security of any development agent coming to the region.
He advised all oil companies not to be jittery because, according to him, “it is a sincere call on them to come and live together with their hosts” for the well-being of all.
He also noted that it was not good of them to continue to deprive Niger Delta youths of job and contract opportunities in their administering their operations from other parts of the country.
The ex-militant leader also urged Federal Government to come up with a sincere plan on the issue of establishing modular refineries in the region, noting that politicians had seemingly hijacked the process to the detriment of the real local refiners who have the local technology of refining the crude in the creeks.
Speaking on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the ex-militant leader tasked the National Assembly to do justice to the bill with clauses pertaining to hosts communities strictly intact.
He advised youths of the region to continue to maintain the prevailing peace in the region, stressing that the development of the Niger Delta should be utmost in the hearts of all well-meaning youths of the region.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.
