National News Nov 16, 2009 By Jimitota Onoyume
[b]PORT HARCOURT— THE Federal Government has been urged to relocate the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)  to any state in the Niger Delta region where the nation’s oil economy is based.
Governor Amaechi made the call  when the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Mohammad Barkindo, led a delegation of the management of the corporation on a courtesy call to Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor, who lauded the steps taken by the Presidency to address the Niger Delta problems, also called on NNPC  to get all oil companies to relocate their headquarters to Port Harcourt or any other state in the Niger Delta.

According to him, relocation of the headquarters of NNPC and other oil companies  to the Niger Delta would help to generate activities that would boost the economy of the region, and provide succour for the next phase of the amnesty programme, as repentant militants would have access to employment opportunities.[/b]He explained that the idea of locating zonal headquarters of oil companies in the Niger Delta while moving the base of the oil economy out of the region, was an  unhealthy development that needed to be corrected to assuage the years of neglect of the Niger Delta region.

The governor promised to partner with the NNPC in its gas development plans, assuring that Port Harcourt has the capacity and the facilities to host the world, especially now that peaceful co-existence has been restored.

The governor, who emphasized the need for all Nigerians to be given equal opportunity to move forward, said no section or region of the country should be cheated as injustice breeds criminality.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Mohammad Barkindo, had commended Governor Amaechi for the role he played during the period of militancy in the Niger Delta that culminated in a comprehensive amnesty programme which has brought peace and normalcy to the region.

Dr Barkindo said with the improved security situation in the Niger Delta, production of crude oil has appreciated tremendously and urged the governor to continue with his pioneering role and mobilize his other colleagues to join hands in ensuring peace in the region


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/16/relocate-nnpc-hq-to-n-delta-amaechi-urges-fg/