The core communities hosting ExxonMobil crude oil exploration and production activities in Akwa Ibom State are demanding the relocation of the company’s headquarters from Lagos to Eket.
The communities are equally seeking for the speedy implementation of the various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) sealed between the oil firm and the communities.
A communiqué issued by the oil communities under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State ExxonMobil Core Communities and made available to journalists at the weekend, faulted the continued location of ExxonMobil headquarters in Lagos as being inimical to efforts to hire locals and also get indigenous contractors effectively participate in the award of contracts as enshrined in the Nigerian Content Act.
“ExxonMobil has treated with outright disregard the provisions of the Local Content Law as applicable in Nigeria and we have observed with utmost dismay that Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, has over time showcased dismal and provocative community relations in its dealings with its immediate host communities and Akwa Ibom State at large,” the communiqué stated.
“The company has treated with levity the agreement entered into between them, the immediate host communities and Akwa Ibom State with reckless abandonment. Notably among such agreements is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they entered into with the host communities.
“Therefore, after a careful investigation into the activities of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited as regards their attitude towards their immediate host communities and Akwa Ibom State, we seek among other things the immediate relocation of their headquarters to their operational area (Eket Federal Constituency).
“We also demand a review of Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) between Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and its core communities as well as the full publication and integration of communities based contractors/vendors into the ongoing Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) Power Distribution Upgrade (QPDUP) Project.
“We also call for the employment of indigenes of core communities into managerial and directorship positions and the provision and implementation of guidelines for enrolment and recruitment of core communities’ indigenes into Mobil Technical Training School.
“We are also demanding compensation of communities for environmental pollution/degradation by oil spills, gas flaring, operational noise and hazards, the empowerment of youths through professional capacity training and subsequent employment. The establishment of Community Portal/Desk for core communities vendors/contractors, and the compliance to the MPN guidelines/Local Content directives in award of contracts and subcontracts,” the communique added.