WIKE TASKS OIL COMPANIES TO DO MORE for HOST COMMUNITIES

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has tasked oil companies to carry out more developmental projects in their host communities.

Governor Wike gave the charge when he played host to the Country Chairman and Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Mr. Osagie Okunbor and other management staff on Tuesday in Government House, Port Harcourt.

“You don’t have to do things out of compulsion and out of threat, because that is not the way it is supposed to be…I think that if we have a robust relationship, it is important to look inwards and see how you will be able to solve problems that are not much"to ” Wike noted

The governor stated that giving priority to their corporate social responsibilities will go a long way in soothing the nerves of people and at the same time provide conducive environment for them to carry out their operations.

The governor further challenged the multinational oil firm to include indigenes in its divesting plans and sale of its onshore wells as Rivers State has individuals with technical and financial capacities to acquire some of the oil wells.

In addition, Governor Wike stressed the need for Shell to partner with the State Government in providing infrastructure,

The State Chief Executive assured his guests that government will provide the enabling environment by beefing up security to make sure that everybody doing business in the state are protected, stressing that it will further encourage investors to come into the state.

Assuring them of efforts to assist the federal government in tackling the issue of oil theft, Wike disclosed that already plans are on top gear to deliver the two armoured surveillance helicopters purchased by the state government, “We believe that when they come in, Shell will partner with us to see how those armoured helicopters can be utilized to check oil theft.”

In his speech, the Shell Managing Director lauded the governor for creating a conducive environment for the company to do business.

With its headquarters located in the state, Okunbor solicited the sustenance of a long standing relationship between the company and the government.

Lamenting the rise in oil theft, he called on the state government to assist in arresting the menace and also ensure development in communities of operations.

PIC: Governor Nyesom Wike welcoming the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Mr Osagie Okunbor to Government House, Port Harcourt during a courtesy call on the governor.