Okowa urges EU to ensure relocation of oil firms to areas of operations

DELTA State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has appealed to the European Union (EU) to prevail on multinational oil companies to move their headquarters to their areas of operations.

According to Governor Okowa, locating headquarters of multinational oil companies in their host communities would boost relationship between the companies and such communities and also, ensure that the host states are not shortchanged in terms of revenue generation.

Governor Okowa made the call Tuesday when the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Arrion, paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba.

“Most of the multinational oil companies do shortchange us as a people and as a state, they operate in this state but their head office and their management staff are outside the state, there is the need for them to relocate to where they have their operations,” the Governor said, adding, “if all their operations are in the state, it is comfortable for our people and enables true partnership between the oil company, government, and the people when you domicile in the area where you make your money.”

He continued, “we hope they will listen to the voice of reasoning and relocate to areas where they have their operations.”
Senator Okowa also used the occasion to appeal to the EU to assist Nigeria by encouraging its teeming youths to be positively engaged for them to be assets rather than liability to the society.”