OANDO Energy Resources Nigeria Ltd has said that the peaceful business environment in Rivers State is pivotal to the quest by the company to achieve 100,000 barrels per day crude and 1.5 billion standard cubic feet of gas targets respectively in the next five years.
Managing Director of the oil firm, Dr Ainojie Alexander Irune disclosed in an interview with newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Dr Irune, said while they have set out ambitious targets, without a harmonious relationship between the firm, the state government and host communities, such business dreams would be difficult to actualize.
He said: “We will continue to invest in the upstream, which brings us to the conversation of why we are here. We have ambitions to deliver a 100,000 barrels per day production target over the next 4 to 5 years, and over 1.5 billion standard cubic feet of gas.
“We can only do that in harmony. We can’t do it in a chaotic environment. And we have chosen this state as our base whilst we produce from three other states of Bayelsa, Imo and Delta.
“And these assets span Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 60, 61, 62 and 63 in all of these states. So, we plan continuous investment, but our priority for investment must be not just in the assets but also in the communities that these assets operate.”
Dr Irune explained that Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt, is their main base of operation, adding that they are delighted with the meeting they have had with the Governor as a mark of respect to their chief host.
The Oando MD noted that with the untiring leadership provided by Governor Fubara, there is prevailing peace that has contributed immensely to business stability.
Dr Irune said: “As you know; Oando Energy Resources, Port Harcourt Base, is located in this State, and our smooth operations, so far, has been a function of a stable environment, a stable community, and the ability for us to carry out our day-to-day operations within this community.
“So, we are here to pay that courtesy visit and thank the Governor for the continued support that he has given to the company.
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“We believe that the operating environment has been relatively improving. We see some unrest in some areas, especially as it relates the issue of pipeline vandalism, but we see significant improvement.”
Dr Irune stated that they have continued to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the host communities, who must be carried along on their business journey towards achieving success.
He noted the level of transformation the company wants to create in their determination to contribute to fostering a more habitable and more dignifying ecosystem.
He added, “And, I believe that this will be the first step to reducing the level of destruction that we see. Overall, there is a peaceful Rivers State, a peaceful environment.
“The government agencies are very cooperative and our local communities are, so far, being extremely welcoming, and have shown a lot of pride in the transitioning into indigenous hands of the formerly known Eni Agip held assets to a local company, Oando Energy Resources, to invest in the country,” he added.
