The Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Udom Inoyo has hinted that Akwa Ibom indigenes constitute 35% of the total employees in the three affiliate Companies of ExxonMobil in the country.
He made this revelation in his remarks at the Awards/Dinner Night of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, on Friday, December 13, 2019, at WatBrigde Hotel, off IBB Avenue, Uyo.
Speaking during his goodwill message entitled "Where Did We Get It Wrong", Mr. Inoyo told the large crowd that his admiration for the pen profession propelled him to be a journalist after graduation because journalists played more than a complimentary role in shaping his appreciation and use of oral and written English Language. Regretting that some journalists have today deviated from their core values of investigating and looking after the common good of the society, he noted that people no longer sufficiently appreciate the way the profession is being practised today because "practically everyone with a smart phone or tablet is a journalist".
The Nsit Ubium born oil expert cited the oil and gas industry as one area that has not been adequately covered by the media, despite the sector being the main stay of Akwa Ibom State's and Nigeria's economies.
He disclosed that Akwa Ibom indigenes top employees of ExxonMobil and that the Companies have made huge financial contributions, and constitute strategic partner of development to the state without the knowledge of Akwa Ibom public, hence the reason for much speculations.
He said: "Akwa Ibom state is blessed to be an oil producing state, with Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) operating here. Because of this production, Akwa Ibom state’s revenue ranks among the highest (if not number one), and I can tell you for free that Akwa Ibom earns a lot more than MPN.
"Akwa Ibom indigenes alone constitute about 35% of all employees of the ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria.
"The company has contributed over N160b to NNDC, and remits about N7b annually in payee tax to the Akwa Ibom State Government."
He frowned at the stories making round that the "Company is not doing enough for the state", adding that "it’s worse for some of us employees who happen to come from the state, and as Nigerians, who are working very hard to help attract funding to the country despite competing locations even within the African continent."
Stating the impact of the company to the development of the state, he pointed that: "When you drive on newly constructed roads, watch a match in the ‘Nest of Champions’ or fly Ibom Air, all these have been largely enabled by the contributions of the joint venture operator."
The Vice Chairman thanked previous and present administrations in Akwa Ibom State for utilizing the funds for the good of the state and acknowledged the effort of the company's staff who "toil every second, to bring crude oil to surface".
Mr. Inoyo called on journalists in the country to hold governments at every level accountable for how the funds accruing to them (the governments) are utilized. He charged the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to enhance efforts towards rejuvenating the noble profession and directed the Company's Media and Communications Manager to sustain the strategic partnership with the Company and the Akwa Ibom Media Community.
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