Why oil companies headquarters must relocate to Niger Delta, says Wike
• It’s Unfair To Drill Oil In Niger Delta, Pay Taxes In Other States
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has berated international oil companies for ignoring Presidency’s directive to locate their headquarters in the Niger Delta region.
Wike said it was sheer hypocrisy for oil companies to drill oil in the Niger Delta to sustain the country’s economy, but fail to locate their corporate headquarters in the region.
The governor made this assertion at the end of year party and 60th anniversary of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Port Harcourt, yesterday.It would be recalled that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had directed multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to relocate their corporate headquarters to the area. But the directive has been ignored to the dismay of groups in the region.
Wike said it was unfair that the companies drill oil in Niger Delta, only to pay taxes in other states. He said: “You find this region comfortable enough to drill oil and generate revenue that sustains the entire country. But when it comes to location of your headquarters, very many excuses emerge.
“Those who talk of insecurity in Niger Delta forget that they are secure enough to work on oil fields in different communities. This level of injustice is not good for any country. I hear that majority of your workers receive their salaries in Lagos and Abuja, with their taxes deducted at those locations. We want you to return to our states and energise our communities with your presence.”
He explained that despite the negative politics against the region, the headquarters of the oil majors would eventually go to Niger Delta.Managing Director, Shell Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor lauded Wike for his commitment to creating the right operational environment in the state.
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