The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has directed International Oil Companies, IOCs, operating in the Niger Delta to relocate their headquarters to their states of operation as a way of dousing tension in oil bearing communities.
Handing this directive on Thursday at a town hall meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, he urged the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu to begin the process of engaging the IOCs on the way forward to actualize the directive.
“I think it is the right thing to do,” the Acting President said during the town hall meeting which was in continuation of his visit to the Niger Delta region to dialogue with stakeholders.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is also working with major oil companies on several initiatives including; working on illegal refineries to establish modular refineries to achieve the desired result.
While reiterating the federal government’s stand on the amnesty programme for ex-militants, Osinbajo said the Petroleum Ministry and the Amnesty Office are working with the state governments of the region on providing the benefits to young people in the states.
He emphasized on the importance of the Ibaka deep Sea port project, saying that, the Federal Government is seriously committed to its realization.
His words, “Indeed as a matter of fact, in the 2017 budget there is already a provision for the Ibaka port. There is already N1billion provision. It is a matter we take seriously to partner with the Akwa Ibom State Government.”
The Acting President called on state governments in the region to attract private investments in their domain in order to create employment opportunities for the youths.
Speaking earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel commended Osinbajo for the visit and urged the federal government to integrate Akwa Ibom indigenes who were left out in the amnesty programmes,
He further harped on the need for the reactivation of the Aluminum Smelter Company, ALSCON, at Ikot Abais local government area of the state to create more opportunities for the people.
“With facilities we have in ALSCON, we cannot see it anywhere in Africa; from the services, communication to power generation you can create seven profits centres,” Emmanuel said.