BY Haleem Olatunji
Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom state, has sued for a more mutually beneficial relationship between ExxonMobil, the host communities and the state government.
During a tripartite meeting between the state government, management of Mobil Producing Nigeria and leaders of host communities at Qua Iboe terminal, Ibeno local government area, on Tuesday, the governor harped on the need for the company to strengthen its relationship with the public.
The governor said his visit to the company was aimed at strengthening such corporate relationship and to chart a course for more involvement of stakeholders in community projects initiated by the oil giant.
“My visit here is a means of interaction, collaboration and partnership that we need one another. The government needs ExxonMobil, ExxonMobil also needs government; that’s the essence of the visit. It is that essence of collaboration that made this meeting possible,” he said.
“We have decided that we will see a way to have that cordial working relationship between not just government and ExxonMobil including the host community as well and even the staff, so we look at the welfare of everybody.”
Emmanuel commended the management of ExxonMobil and the host community for their peaceful co-existence and called for sustained peace in the area.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the executive and management of ExxonMobil led by the CEO, and also thank the host communities for their peaceful co-existence with ExxonMobil in the past three years; we expect a lot more,” he said.
The governor, who was taken around on a facility tour of the company, expressed satisfaction over the level of maintenance of facilities at the terminal and encouraged the company to keep up.
Earlier, Paul McGrath, chairman/managing director, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited(MPN), thanked the governor for the visit and for initiating the interaction between the management of the company, the state government and the host communities.
He said the meeting has been long wished as a good start-off for the company and its host communities for the year 2020.
Highlight of the meeting was power point presentation of oil and gas operations of MPN and facility tour.
Among those present at the meeting were Udom Inoyo, vice-chairman of ExxonMobil companies in Nigeria; Effiong Achianga, paramount ruler of Ibeno; and Frank Archibong, chairman of ALGON, Akwa Ibom state.
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