Commisioner Amgbaduba visits Tank Farms in Delta to boost internal revenue, establish cordial relationship with companies 

“Your cooperate social responsibility with the government and host community should not be swept under the carpet.” Amgbaduba declares.

In an interview with the honourable commissioner during the visit with newsmen, Prince Emman stated that the visit was to collate information regarding their operations if there are challenges, complaints, for the purpose of familiarization, ensuring compliance to global best practices while running the Tank Farms, the need for collaboration and the ultimate briefing of an eminent meeting that will be scheduled by the office of the honourable commissioner Ministry of Oil and Gas Delta State with Depot Managers in the whole of Delta State.

He noted that the meeting will hold either in Asaba or Warri in order to properly streamline issues bordering the companies, he said the Delta State Government, headed by Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of the state is poised to see that business strives well in the state without any hiccup.

Maintaining that he is carrying out the directive of his boss, His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State.

However, all the five Tank Farms visited yesterday, the Managers and all those that spoke on behalf of their companies at the different meetings in their offices identified similar challenges.

Some of the challenges raised include rampant illegal bunkering activites in Ifie-Kporo community, which according to them poses a serious security threat to the continued survival of the companies, adding that if the Government can act swiftly in curtailing the situation it would better.

Illegal bunkering activities in Ifie community is a threat to our operations – Depot Managers

The Tank Farms Managers decried why illegal bunkering activities will be done indiscriminately in the open in a sensitive area close to Tank Farms, expressing worry on their continued operations amidst such potential impending danger.

They also identified multiple taxation from both state, local and other strange authorities, stressing that they hope to operate in a decent environment, the Managers while declaring their readiness to pay their taxes as at when due, maintains that they really want to know exactly who they will be dealing with to avoid multiple taxation on their parts.

Another challenge affecting the operations of Tank Farms in the area, identified by the Managers include the Ifie concrete road, the only access road to the Tank Farms, they had called on the Delta State Government to come to their aid by fixing the road, stressing that before now, Tank Farms in the area combine to contribute money in fixing it, maintaining that if the state Government can rescue them from such baleful experience, it will be highly appreciated.

We have good relationship with our host community, they are peaceful – Tank Farm Managers

Meanwhile, the story is not different from managers of all the Tank Farms visited yesterday, they have all conspicuously hammered on the fact that they are in constant touch with the community authorities.

Noting that the relationship so far has been harmonious, peaceful and cordial, adding that there is no cause for alarm.

We are delivering on our corporate social responsibility with our host – AYM SHAFA, MATRIX

Nevertheless, in all the five Tank Farms visited yesterday, only AYM SHAFA and MATRIX took out their time to explain how they are delivering on their corporate social responsibility.

In their separate meetings with the honourable commissioner, Assistant General Manager, AYM SHAFA, Soladeni A. O noted that in just a year and few months of operations in the area, they have renovated an hospital fully equipped for the community, noting that they have also provided portable drinkable water for the community.

He explained further that by way of encouraging people of the community, particularly the leadership, all materials supply is given to them to supply which according to him is in compliance with their corporate social responsibility.

He maintains that they also provided employment opportunities for the host community and impacted communities like Ubeji amongst others.

On his part, General Manager of MATRIX, Engr. Francis Eiu also alluded that they have done a lot for host community, stressing that they have built standard general hospital worthing over 400 million naira.

Engr. Francis continued that Matrix have also spent a lot in the empowerment of women in the locality, provision of scholarship to students among other vital services they have been renderimg over the years.

The MD noted that seeing the Warri Port coming back to life, functioning like that of Lagos remains their major dream, adding that if the Government can dredge the Excravos bar, it would have been good for Deltans and investors.

Nevertheless, Commisioner Amgbaduba promised to get back to them via a meeting that will be scheduled in order to address the issues raised, noting that some of the challenges will be tables before the Governor.

It would be recalled that the commisioner in each of the Tank Farms visited took a tour round the facilities to ensure if they conforms to global best practices.

The depot officials visited include Ikechukwu, (KEONAMEX PETROLEUM, KPI), Engr. Saladeni, (AYM SHAFA), Engr. Saliyu Jabiru (Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd), Engr. Francis Eiu, (MATRIX) as well as Engr. Okafo ( A & E) among others that were present.

The commissioner’s entourage include permanent secretary Oil and Gas ministry, Delta State, Chief Aleka, Director Local content, ministry of oil and gas, Delta State, Comr. Emmanuel Akpule, special assistant to the commisioner among others.