Niger Delta Leaders Not Silent Over Relocation of IOCs’ Headquarters, Tinubu is working -Gen. Aroni

•Says Move Will Boost Jobs, Revenue and Development in Region

•Applauds Tantita Contract, Seeks Seaport Revival

By Joseph Bienbo & Daniel Njienue, Warri

Former Niger Delta agitator and Chairman of the First Phase Amnesty Programme, Chief Aaron Oputu, popularly known as Aroni, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit the relocation of International Oil Companies, IOCs, operational headquarters to the Niger Delta region.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Congress Correspondents, Chief Aroni recalled that the relocation of IOCs’ headquarters was one of the key demands in the ceasefire agreement of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND.

He expressed concern over what he described as “grave silence” among stakeholders of the struggle, but clarified that leaders were not silent.
“We are not silent. We are only waiting for the right opportunity to reintroduce this demand for further dialogue,” he said.

Chief Aroni also commended President Tinubu for awarding the pipeline surveillance contract to
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, noting that the company has created thousands of jobs for Niger Delta youths.

He stressed that relocating IOCs’ headquarters to the region would bring strategic development, create direct and indirect jobs, and significantly increase the Internally Generated Revenue of Niger Delta states.

The ex-agitator further called for the revival of moribund seaports in the region, specifically Warri, Koko, Burutu, Port Harcourt, and Calabar seaports, to drive economic growth and employment opportunities.