By Chioma Iruke
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, has denied pressures by some stakeholders or authorities of the oil and gas industry to relocate the Headquarters of the Board from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In a statement by the Boards General Manager Corporate Communications/Zonal Coordination, Engr. Ginah. O. Ginah, on Monday, the NCDMB noted that though there has been unwarranted protest at the headquarters, those were not sufficient grounds to relocate.
“Admittedly, there has been unwarranted and disruptive protests and disturbances at the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower – the Board’s head office. However, the management of NCDMB recognizes that individuals and groups have the right to express their feelings and genuine grievances in civil and responsible manners.
“The issues do not constitute sufficient grounds to contemplate or yield to any call to relocate the Headquarters of the Board, considering that the people of the Niger Delta Region have consistently demanded for oil producing companies to relocate their headquarters to the region.
“The position of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development (NOGlCD) Act establishing our agency is clear and unambiguous about where our head office should be. The Board will abide by the express stipulations of the Act,” the statement read.
“The Board, therefore distanced itself from any call or purported call for relocation,” it added.
It also reassured stakeholders that it “will do everything lawful and expedient within its powers to engender healthy relationship with host communities and work progressively to ensure that the avoidable spate of disturbances are brought under control.”
