ExxonMobil contributes N160bn to NDDC, pays N7bn tax to Akwa Ibom, says company chief
Ben Eguzozie, in Port Harcourt
ExxonMobil Nigeria upstream affiliate, Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), operator of the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC/MPN) joint venture, has contributed in excess of N160 billion to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), according to Udom Inoyo, vice chairman of the oil giant.
The American multinational oil firm said it did this through tax remittances, offering of employment opportunities and contributions to the NDDC fund for development of the oil region.
It also said Akwa Ibom State, its major operational base, has benefitted N7 billion, a significant contribution to the economic development of the oil-rich state. The state also witnessed numerous development projects funded by the international oil company.
Inoyo said in Uyo, while receiving an award on behalf of his company given by the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), that the NNPC/MPN JV production capacity has greatly benefitted Akwa Ibom, making it to rank highest among states receiving oil revenues in Nigeria.
He pledged the oil firm’s commitment towards sustaining its contributions to Nigeria, the Niger Delta and Akwa Ibom’s development through its partnership with its key stakeholders, including the media.
The ExxonMobil Nigeria vice chairman said Akwa Ibom indigenes employed by his company constitute about 35 percent of all employees of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria.
“When you drive on a newly constructed road, watch a football match in the ‘Nest of Champions’ stadium or fly the Ibom Air, all these are largely enabled by the contributions of our joint venture operatorship,” he said.
He said ExxonMobil was particularly thankful to the thousands of personnel who toil every second to bring crude oil to surface.
The IOC said on its website that its affiliates in Nigeria are involved in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and operate several joint venture concessions and deepwater production sharing contracts which currently focus on major secondary oil recovery projects; natural gas liquids and gas monetization and significant investment in national content development.
Inoyo said there are lots of activities at the national level that Akwa Ibom particularly needs to capture more opportunities from, especially in these times of prevailing in-industry competitions.