Mkpoikana Udoma1
26 June 2016, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — Oil exploration and producing company, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, has said it is eager for a stronger partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, towards developing the Niger Delta region.
The Managing Director of NAOC, Mr. Massimo Insulla, said this when he led a team from NAOC, a subsidiary of the Italian multinational Eni, on a courtesy visit to the management of NDDC in Port Harcourt.
Insulla said oil companies were making significant contributions to the budget of the NDDC and as such had a big stake in the Niger Delta project.
“There is an opportunity to partner and I am open to continuing the dialogue that was initiated by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum and Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast-tracking regional development.
“We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people,” he said.
Also speaking, NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Nsima Ekere, reassured that the commission was committed to doing things differently.
Ekere stated that the new management owed it to Nigerians, the people of the Niger Delta, stakeholders of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government to ensure true regional development, adding that the new spirit was a necessary foundation for progress.
“One of the things we have done is to see that the money you have contributed to the NDDC fund is used in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner, and it starts from the budgetary process.
“We believe that we can collaborate with you so that you can continue to carry out your Corporate Social Responsibility. NDDC will help you to do more so that your host communities will be peaceful. If your host communities are peaceful, you will have a conducive environment to work, your output will be better, and your returns to your shareholders will be better.”
The NDDC boss also announced that the Commission would work with Agip in the area of modular refinery and in fashioning a wastes collection and management strategy for the Niger Delta region.
