Oil multinationals behind insecurity in Rivers - Gov. Wike

Port Harcourt -- Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, says multinational oil companies operating in the state are encouraging insecurity by patronising cultists for surveillance services.

The governor particularly blamed the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC, for dividing communities and refusing to implement memorandum of understanding signed with host communities.

Governor Wike made this known during a courtesy visit by the ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier, at

the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Wike stated that in line with his commitment to improving security across the state, the state government would henceforth sanction any company that awarded surveillance jobs to cultists.

He said before such surveillance jobs were awarded , the companies should henceforth inform the state government for proper scrutiny of the beneficiaries.

"Companies encourage cultists by giving them surveillance jobs. We must know those doing these surveillance jobs.

"When you empower them, they have more money to acquire arms. Any company that gives surveillance jobs to cultists will be sanctioned.

"Shell is part of the major culprits. Shell divides communities to make sure that the people don't work together. Shell doesn't want to implement memorandum of understanding signed with communities.

"I sat in a meeting with Shell, Agip and Total. It was only Shell that refused to implement the memorandum of understanding. Despite the actions of Shell, we shall continue to protect national assets", the governor said.