Gov Diri Tells Oando: Acquire Agip’s Liabilities, Not Just Its Assets

Senator Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa State, has urged Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited, which recently acquired the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), to assume both the oil company’s liabilities and its assets.

Governor Diri stated that this was the only way to resolve the strained relationship between the former company and its host communities.
The Bayelsa governor stated this on Thursday during a courtesy visit by Oando Energy’s management team to Government House in Yenagoa.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Diri called on Oando management to right the wrongs of the divested company by addressing employment, contractual benefits, security jobs, and environmental pollution.
The Bayelsa governor advised the company to avoid the embarrassing incident associated with another oil company operating in the state that is in court with the government over an oil spill dispute in Nembe Local Government Area.
Diri noted that multinational corporations that avoid corporate social responsibility become poor business managers, resulting in a crisis between them and their host communities.
He also stated that indigenous people who are qualified to work in the oil industry should not only be considered for lower-level positions but also for management.
“Let me congratulate you on being found worthy of acquiring all of the assets of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company. However, keep in mind that you have acquired more than just the assets. You have also acquired the liabilities.
“By the laws of this country, the rights of hosts, states, and communities have been taken away because oil discovered underground belongs to the nation. These are extremely inhumane laws.
“One of the reasons for the strained relationship between Bayelsa State, the oil-producing communities, and the company that you have acquired was employment, contractual benefits, security jobs, and other issues. However, we believe that this is an opportunity for you to make things right.”
Dr Ainojie Irune, Managing Director of Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited, stated that the visit was intended to formally introduce the management team that would be doing business in the state and to seek a fruitful partnership.
He expressed the company’s desire for a fresh start to establish a positive working relationship with the Bayelsa government.
Earlier, during a meeting with the state’s first-class traditional rulers, the governor urged the federal government to address the country’s flooding problem by building dams and dredging rivers.
Following an appeal by the chairman of the state’s traditional rulers council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, the governor also lifted the suspension of the Obanema (paramount ruler) of Otuokpoti community in Ogbia Local Government Area, King Azibakayam Wongo.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration between traditional institutions and state and local governments in maintaining the state’s current peace.
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