TheCable

Workers of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) have kicked against the company’s “plan to move its operational base from Onne in Port Harcourt, Rivers state to Lagos”.

In a statement, the workers, described the planned relocation as against the interest of the Niger Delta region.

They called on the federal government to prevail on the company not to go ahead with the plan.

“We, the affected operations staff and expatriates of SNEPCo wish to bring the attention of the federal government and well-meaning Nigerians of a plan by the management of our company to forcefully relocate our operations from Onne, Port Harcourt to Lagos,” read the statement signed by one Edward Otaru.

“The hushed, hurried but forceful relocation order emanated under a strange and suspicious condition, as it was neither discussed with the staff nor backed by any justifiable reasons.

“We decided to bring this hurried relocation order to the notice of the government and the general public because of its implication on our families and friends who might suffer unnecessary dislocation and also its implication on the Niger Delta region.

“The ill-advised plan to move men and materials from the Niger Delta region to Lagos is also contrary to the directive of the Federal Government, which in 2017 asked oil companies to retain their headquarters in their operational bases in the Niger Delta region.”

But Bamidele Odugbesan, media relations manager of Shell Nigeria, said there is no attempt to shut the facility in Rivers.

“The only connection that SNEPCo has with Onne is the logistics supply base that supports The Shell Petroleum Development Company and SNEPCo,” he said in response to inquiries by TheCable.

“SNEPCO is trying to create an alternative logistics supply base in Lagos without shutting down the logistics supply base in Onne.”