The Senate has urged oil and gas companies in Nigeria to relocate to their operational base in Niger Delta for smooth operation.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Albert Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom) at plenary on Tuesday.

Mr Akpan, in his lead debate, said the companies initially operated from their respective operational bases in Niger Delta before they relocated due to several reasons.

“The companies attributed their operation outside their host communities to insecurity and hostilities in the host communities.

“Their operation outside of host communities and operational bases accounted for the high cost of oil and gas production.

“This is a big setback to the country’s oil and gas industry, and it is militating against maximum revenue from crude oil and gas sales to the federation account,” he said.

Mr Akpan said the eventual relocation would further boost development in the region and enhance corporate social relationships.

He said the move would also strengthen the nation’s collective resolve to reduce the contentious cost of production in the oil and gas sector.