ExxonMobil Oil asked to reopen office in Lhoksukon

The legislative council (DPRD) of North Aceh regency has asked ExxonMobil Indonesia to reopen its office in Lhoksukon which was closed following the temporary suspension of the company?s gas operations in 2001.

The call was made by one of the council?s factions during a budgetary deliberation over the weekend. The meeting was also attended by North Aceh Regent Tarmizi and other senior government officials in the province, Serambi Indonesia reported on Monday.

The relocation of the company?s office to Medan has caused a loss to the local companies because most of the business particularly tenders were carried through the North Sumatra capital, M. Thaib, a representative of the Golkar faction, said in the council?s meeting.

Besides, such disadvantages, many problems arising between the company and the local people such as a dispute over the alleged pollution charge in Nibong Baroh village left unresolved, he said.

ExxonMobil suspended its operation for several months in 2001 following a number of attacks from the alleged members of the GAM separatist group in the province. The company then temporarily moved its office to Medan to allow the company to continue the company?s management activities. (*)