By Dipo Olowookere
Plans by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) to move its operational base from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Lagos have been kicked against by workers of the oil firm.
The aggrieved employees of the company described this move as ill-advised and against the interest of the Niger Delta region.
In a statement signed by Mr Edward Otaru on behalf of the affected SNEPCo workers, they urged government and Nigerians to prevail of the management to abort the relocation in the interest of jobs and development of the Niger Delta region.
“We, the affected operations staff and expatriates of SNEPCo wish to bring the attention of the federal government and well-meaning Nigerians of a plan by the management of our company to forcefully relocate our operations from Onne, Port Harcourt to Lagos.
“The hushed, hurried but forceful relocation order emanated under a strange and suspicious condition, as it was neither discussed with the staff nor backed by any justifiable reasons.
“We decided to bring this hurried relocation order to the notice of the government and the general public because of its implication on our families and friends who might suffer unnecessary dislocation and also its implication on the Niger Delta region.
“The ill-advised plan to move men and materials from the Niger Delta region to Lagos is also contrary to the directive of the Federal Government, which in 2017 asked oil companies to retain their headquarters in their operational bases in the Niger Delta region,” the statement read in part.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya