S’East, S’South Govs intensify calls for IOCs to relocate head offices, refute security risks
Rising from it second meeting in Port Harcourt, the South East, South South Governors Forum (SESSGF) has renewed its calls on the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the 11 states to relocate their head offices in line with Presidential directive handed down by the Vice President few months ago.
Similar position, it would recalled was taken when they met first at Enugu last month, stressing that despite providing the necessary logistic support to the security agencies, perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, thus, preventing inflow of direct foreign and local investment into the regions.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting on Tuesday, SESSGF urged the Federal Government to prevail on multinational oil and gas corporations to relocate their corporate headquarters to their areas of core operations in the two regions, saying this can be done by sending an executive bill to the National Assembly if a presidential directive cannot effect the needed action.
The terse communiqué endorsed by the Chairman of forum and Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, decrying that the emerging trend where approvals for investments in the oil and gas industry are granted for siting in locations outside where the resources are domiciled was unacceptable.
Governors present at the meeting were Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). The deputy governors who represented their governors were Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) of Bayelsa, Dr. Nkem Okeke (Anambra), Philip Shaibu (Edo) and Prof. Ivara Esu (Cross River).
Before now, all other political and socio cultural groups in all the 11 states including Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDF) and former President, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, the President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare, Ohaneze Ndigbo and others.
However, the presidency since the presidential pronouncement has not done anything to drive the implementation of the order.
