Ijaw Professionals Association (IPA) on Tuesday called
for the implementation of Federal Government’s directive to International Oil
Companies (IOCs) to relocate to the Niger Delta.
IPA made the call in a statement signed by Maj-Gen Paul
Toun, (Rtd) Chairman Board of Trustees, Mr Iniruo Wills, Homeland Chapter
President and Mr Elaye Otrofanowei, President Lagos chapter.
According to the statement made available in Yenagoa, IPA
described the directive to IOCs to expeditiously relocate their head offices to
their operational areas as historic.
“This directive conveyed by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, March 2
2017 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom during his equally encouraging stakeholder consultation
tours to all states in the long-neglected and distressed Niger Delta region is
very commendable.,
“It is the
strongest signal in many years that the Federal Government may sincerely begin
to address the age-old challenges of the region from the roots rather than the
usual cosmetic approach of trying to dust off the symptoms on the surface.
“The presidential directive answers one of the cardinal
demands of petroleum host communities over the last half century.
“For the oil producing and heavily oil-polluted
communities and states in the Niger Delta, this might be the most authentic
evidence of the Nigerian-local content policy.
“It was recently enacted into law but is yet to be of
much practical value to our peoples’ lives and local economies in the region.
“Hopefully, it would also mark a departure from the
mutually counter-productive tactics of seeking to suppress agitation and its
regrettable ramifications by military might,” IPA stated.
The Ijaw group noted that speed and commitment was of
essence by all stakeholder segments in implementing the policy direction adding
that the momentum must not only be maintained, but maximized as well.
IPA urged the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,
Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, in his usual energetic manner, drive an accelerated
process for the relocation of all oil and gas companies to their areas of
operation.
The group also stated that the relocation directive is
expected to include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, its various
subsidiaries and the relevant regulatory and capacity building agencies.
IPA stated that
such agencies include the Department of Petroleum Resources, the Petroleum
Technology Development Fund and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response
Agency.
It noted that the agencies had remained at a
dysfunctional distance far from the geographical centers of their operations
and mandate and hence impeding their performance.
“We trust that the industry operators, especially but not
restricted to the multinational oil companies, will cooperate fully and swiftly
on this declared thrust of the Government of Nigeria.
“It is also our minimum expectation from the indigenous
operators that they will follow suit, moreover as they are all beneficiaries of
the petroleum industry Nigerian-local content policy and in particular recent
divestments of oil mining leases and marginal fields.
“The peoples of the Niger Delta region and the rest of
Nigeria look forward to this,” IPA stated.
It urged the Governors of affected states, the Nigerian
Content Development and Monitoring Board, the Niger Delta Development
Commission and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to seize the moment.
According to the group, the stakeholders should work with the Minister of State for Petroleum
Resources and the Minister of Budget and National Planning to facilitate the
actualization of the directive.
“This should include an immediate and mutually
coordinated short to medium term infrastructure and amenities plan, with
clearly defined stakeholder commitments on funding and other enablers.
“Such a strategic facilitation plan will be of immense
value towards bringing the Federal Government’s visionary directive to quick
fruition.
“Our Governors and other key actors, including leading
professional bodies and genuine stakeholder platforms, should commit themselves
to this opportunity and challenge.
“ With the target of ensuring that relocation of all oil
and gas companies is consummated within the next six to twelve months, while
arrangements for perfecting their settling down continue for such further time
as may be expedient.
“IPA commits to collaborating with these vital
governmental and non-governmental institutions and mobilizing its wide
membership, expertise and leverages towards the fulfillment of this potentially
redefining and transformative presidential directive.” the statement read in
part.
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