The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) commissioned its coporate headquarters on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
Dignitaries in attendance were, the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, former managing director of NLNG, Chima Ibeneche among others.
The Governor in his speech commended NLGN for exemplary efforts to erect their headquarters in the state.
He also expressed dismay over a negative narrative that has been tagged on the Niger delta as being unsafe for certain activities.
He said for many years this negative description have been watered by multinational oil companies and some vested interest groups .
“If Rivers state is not safe, why will NLGN be operating in Rivers State and have its headquarters in Rivers State. so those proponents of insecurity, please try to have a second thought. This state is safe. If the state is not safe you cannot construct this edifice.” He said
He echoed the need to address this assertion.
He said it is wrong for oil companies to explore the region and keep their headquarters elsewhere.
Governor Wike expressed that if the narrative is not addressed timely, it will continue to hamper the nation’s corporate existence and stability.
He said the idea of flying in oil workers from Lagos to work in the Niger delta is unfavorable to the economy.
He further tasked the companies to prove that Lagos and Abuja does not have security issues as the other parts of the country.
The Governor echoed stating that some day, everybody will come back to their operating base, while maintaining that nobody can change it.
“Understand that this conspiracy theory against the Niger Delta is a temporary thing. I can assure you, one day everybody will come back to their operating base. Nobody can change it.”
He assured the management of NLNG the State government’s intentions to continue to create an environment that will foster growth for businesses.
In a statement, the managing director of NLNG, Tony Attah said the intents of the project is to bear the company’s bold presence in Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta.
