Akwa Ibom National News

EDWIN CLARK URGES MOBIL TO RELOCATE TO EKET

A foremost leader of the Niger Delta region, Chief Edwin Clark has reiterated the need for Mobil Producing to relocate its headquarters to Eket in Akwa Ibom state, saying it is very cruel and unfair for the company to continue operating from Lagos.

Clark who spoke at the General Assembly of Pan Niger Forum, PANDEF in Uyo also urged Chevron to relocate its headquarters to Warri, Delta state, Agip should relocate to Bayelsa while Shell’s haphazard relocation to River states should be concretized.

Chief Clark lamented that Lagos state gets revenue higher than budgets of some states from these companies, while the host communities get nothing short of polluted land and water.

He insisted that the spiral effects of their operations from Lagos also affects other businesses as buses and other forms of services are offered to the workers in the base, while more money go to helicopters and house boats that convey the workers to and from work each day.

The PANDEF convener also warned that the demand for relocation was essential as it will stimulate the companies to wake up to their social responsibilities to their host communities.
Addressing the Forum, the Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel sued for more collaborations between the Niger Delta governors in order to always present a common position on issues of the exploitation and marginalisation of the region.
Emmanuel who wanted the governors to be in the forefront of the struggle, said with more support from him and his colleagues, the efforts of PANDEF would yield more results.
“I expect all of us as governors in the Niger Delta to do more than we are doing today. We need to speak with one voice. We need to rise and say this is how it hurts us.”


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