Relocate DPR, NAPIMS, EXXONMOBIL Hqrs to Akwa Ibom, AKHA Orders

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been directed to begin process of relocating the head offices of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to Akwa Ibom State. ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest publicly traded international oil and gas companies was also ordered to relocate its operational base to the state.

This was the resolution of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today February 13, 2020, during Thursday's plenary, following a motion brought before the it by the Member representing Ini State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong.

[caption id="attachment_53979" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Member representing Ini State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong.[/caption]

In his motion, Ekpenyong had intimated his colleagues that relocating the head offices of DPR and NAPIMS will leave ExxonMobil with no choice than to also relocate its headquarters to Akwa Ibom State. He pointed out that the State contributes about 33% of Nigeria's daily volume of oil production and is by far the highest oil producing State in Nigeria.

The Chief Whip of the 7th Assembly said with the adverse environmental impacts caused by crude oil and natural gas production such as air and ground water pollution, damage to flora and fauna, exposure of biota to contaminants, among other hazards, ExxonMobil should have its operational base in the state, as such development would have positive economic impacts on the people.

"Whereas as the saying goes "to whom much is given, much is expected". Akwa Ibom State having given the highest volume of oil and revenue to the Federal Republic of Nigeria expects the Federal Government to relocate the head offices of two NNPC subsidiaries in, namely Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to Akwa Ibom State", he said.

The Assembly led by Speaker Aniekan Bassey unanimously resolved that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari and Members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom extraction.

Reacting, the Speaker of House, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, said the refusal of DPR and NAPIMS to relocate to the state was a deliberate attempt aimed at depriving Akwa Ibom people of their rights and privileges, and commended Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpeyong for sponsoring the Motion which he described as timely.

Also a motion on "Urgent Need to Curb Extortion of Electricity Consumers in Akwa Ibom State sponsored by the Member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Hon. Victor Ekwere was received by the House. It was referred to the Committee on Rural Development and Public Utilities to interface with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) and report back to the House within two weeks.

Another motion on "The Need for Compliance with the Provisions of the Nigerian Local Content Law and Memorandum of Agreement by Multi National and Oil Servicing Companies Operating within the Territorial Waters of Akwa Ibom State", sponsored by the Member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere.