A’IBOM GOVT. THUMPS UP EXXONMOBIL PLAN RELOCATION ; OFFERS HIGH-RISE BUILDING OFFICE ACCOMMODATION

 

Akwa Ibom State government has stated it readiness to provide, on lease, a-21 floor Intelligent high – rise building within the Uyo Metropolis to address accommodation needs of Mobil Producing Nigeria, MPN, and to fast track it relocation of operational headquarters to the state.

Governor Udom Emmanuel announced this during a ground- breaking ceremony of Technical Skills Acquisition Facility at Community Technical College, Ikot Akata, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, being one of the three major community assistance projects jointly undertaken by Mobil Producing Nigeria, MPN and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in different parts of the state.

The Governor stated: “I want to assure you that I am going to provide you with a – 21 storey Intelligent building so that you can take over as headquarters of ExxonMobil. I will provide in a record time. I didn’t know you’ve already had it in your plans that the headquarters of ExxonMobil should move in here.

They will carry out operations from here so I really want to thank you for that. This recaptures my promise that if you are here by September, I will show you at worst a structure from a-21 storey building that would serve as a proper Intelligent building and operational headquarters of ExxonMobil courtesy of the State government.”

Governor Emmanuel expressed delight at the decision of the oil giant to impact on the host communities and commended the Chairman and Managing Director of Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr Paul McGrath for executing the project as part of it corporate social responsibility, saying that the projects would have far reaching impact on the state development.

He said plans have reached advanced stage for the construction of Ultra – Modern Logistic Centre at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area to complete the value chain, explaining that the center, on completion, would ease evacuation of goods and complement services that would be provided at the Skills Acquisition Facility.

“Let me also say here that if we start this project now, every single material that would be used here would berth in Lagos, so to complete the value chain, I want to reassure you that we are building a an ultra modern Logistics Centre in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area which is just a stone throw from here to serve every logistic need needed there.” He explained.

Governor Emmanuel told the people that he would return to the area to commission Electricity Distribution Sub station which has been completed at Ekim community, assuring that the Sub -station would provide uninterrupted power supply in the entire area and it neighbouring communities .

On the Coconut Refinery and Plantation project, the Governor sued for the cooperation of the host community and called on them to allow the project materialise, explaining that government is aware of their agitation for compensation and assured that they would be duly compensated from the proceeds of the company’s investment, adding that they have the chance of becoming shareholders in the company when it becomes fully operational.

Recalling the good old days of the Technical College, Governor Emmanuel said that the school was a reference point in academic excellence having produced Engineers and technicians in different fields and particularly warned youths of the host community against vandalization of equipment, assuring that the facility would train and provide employment to them as well as other youths across the state.

The Chairman and Managing Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr Paul McGrath said that NNPC and MPN, through it joint venture has decided to intervene in the areas of education, health, human empowerment and skill acquisition as requested by the state Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel and assured that the projects would be completed under 18 months.

Also, the Group Managing Director, National Investment Management Services NAPIMS, a subsidiary of NNPC, Mr Hilary Akpan, spoke in glowing terms of the laudable development programmes embarked upon by the state administration, saying that the Governor is abreast with the needs of the people and commended him for creating enabling environment for development to thrive in the state. He said that the Companies would monitor the projects and ensure speedy completion as scheduled.

Other Community Assisted projects earmarked by the multinational Companies for execution are Trauma Center at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and Engineering Faculty Complex at the University of Uyo Permanent campus.

Stakeholders and Traditional Rulers of benefiting communities, Women and Youth groups, Political Stalwart and other dignitaries were on hand to accord the Directors and Officials of the oil Companies rousing reception.

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