ExxonMobil, Chevron Keep Mum

International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country have said that the issue of relocating their headquarters to the Niger Delta region as directed by the Federal Government, does not arise, as they already have offices and operations in the area.
Although, American oil giant – ExxonMobil and Chevron, could not comment on the issue, other IOCs noted that they have never really relocated from Niger Delta region, therefore the issue of relocation does not arise.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had directed the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, “to engage” the IOCs “on the way forward” over repeated calls for the relocation of their head offices to the states where they produce oil from.
Most of the IOCs in Nigeria were thought to have their headquarters in Lagos, South West of the country, hundreds of kilometers away from the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Experts and stakeholders believe that the Federal Government order should go beyond relocation order to solving militancy and insecurity in the Niger Delta region.
Responding to The Guardian enquiry, Shell’s Media Relations Manager, Precious Okolobo said: “I can confirm that the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has its headquarters in Port Harcourt, River State capital.”
Also, the Deputy General Manager Media & Public Affairs, Total Nigeria, Mr. Charles Ogan, insisted that Total has its headquarters in Port Harcourt, saying the issue of relocation has nothing to do with the company.
“We are still very much around in the Niger Delta region. We did not at any time leave the Niger Delta and we are not planning to leave,” he said. Reacting to the relocation order by the Vice President, Senior Vice President, Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Rasheed Adegbenro, stressed the need for the Federal Government to provide adequate security of lives and facilities before enforcing the relocation order.
He said: “Until the Federal Government is able to totally tackle the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta, it should not force the IOCs to engage in risky activities. One needs to understand why the oil companies left the areas. If they shut down operations due to militancy, you cannot force them to come back. They are here to do business and not to die...


http://m.guardian.ng/news/relocation-of-iocs-we-have-offices-operations-in-niger-delta-say-shell-total/