Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited has been encouraged by Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri to take over the obligations of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), which it just acquired.
According to Diri, this would warm the tense ties between NAOC and the host communities.
This was said by the governor on Friday in Yenagoa during a courtesy visit from the Oando Energy management team.
Diri urged the Oando management to take action on employment, perks under contracts, job security, and contamination of the environment.
In order to establish amicable working relationships with host communities, the governor tasked multinational corporations with adhering to their CSR.
Additionally, he said that lower-level and managerial roles in the oil company should be given preference to indigenous people who meet the requirements to work there.
“Let me congratulate you for being found worthy, having concluded the processes of acquiring all the assets of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company. But be reminded that you have not only acquired the assets. You have also acquired the liabilities.
“Part of the reason for the frosty relationship between Bayelsa, the oil-producing communities and the company that you have acquired were around employment, contractual benefits, security of jobs and others.
“We, however, believe this is an opportunity for you to right the wrongs. You are a brand new company today. So, in terms of employment and contractual obligations. Let the people of Bayelsa be involved.
“That way, there would be mutual respect, peace and smooth operations in this state,” he said.
He assured Oando that the government would support him, pointing out that the state stood to benefit greatly from such nonviolent oil operations.
The purpose of the visit, according to Ainojie Irune, Managing Director of Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited, was to formally introduce the management team that will be conducting business in Bayelsa.
According to him, the business emphasises cooperative relationships with the host communities, the government, and its employees.
Irune expressed the expectation that the business will start over in order to establish a productive working relationship with the government of Bayelsa.
