allAfrica.com: Omiyi Explains Shell's Relocation to Port Harcourt: “Responding, Odili pleaded with Omiyi to properly clean up the over 250 oil spill cases most of which were attributed to the operations of Shell but applauded the company for its decision to relocate its headquarters to Port Harcourt.” (ShellNews.net) Posted 10 Nov 04
This Day (Lagos)
Donald Andoor
Port Harcourt
Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Mr Basil Omiyi, said yesterday that the relocation of the company's headquarters to Port Harcourt was based on the availability of the right facilities and conducive environment prevalent in Rivers State.
Omiyi, the first Nigerian Managing Director of SPDC made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Peter Odili in preparation for SPDC's relocation of its corporate headquarters to Port Harcourt.
He said his appointment and the relocation of the company's head office from Lagos to Port Harcourt were necessitated by the prevailing conducive environment in the state.
Omiyi explained that SPDC has hit an average production of one million barrels per day in 2004, the highest in over 20 years and an indication of "the conducive business environment within the area of operation."
He hinted that the relocation would be effected in January 2005, and expressed satisfaction with the presence of large infrastructural facilities built over time to accommodate the influx of SPDC personnel relocating to Port Harcourt.
He expressed absolute trust in the commitment of the state government to cater for the increase in the population, and urged the governor to intensify its road decongestion strategy.
Responding, Odili pleaded with Omiyi to properly clean up the over 250 oil spill cases most of which were attributed to the operations of Shell but applauded the company for its decision to relocate its headquarters to Port Harcourt.
"As a result of the lack of proper clean up of the oil spill cases, the environment as well as the aqua system has been endengered thus constituting a very serious health hazard for the people and the marine system," the governor said.
He therefore appealed to the company to liaise with the federal and state ministries of environment to help facilitate whatever was impeding the proper clean up excercise.
He congratulated the newly appointed managing director on his elevation and assured him of the support of the people of Rivers state. He assured that the state government would take necessary measures to expand and provide the required facilities and infrastructure that could accommodate the influx of Shell staff that will be moving from Lagos to Port Harcourt.
"Government is already expanding infrastructures like roads, electricity, water and drainage systems as well as opening up of new residential areas away from the town so as to decongest the city centre," he added.
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