Oil and Gas producing communities of Imo State have been advised to shun double standard, averice, selflessness and restiveness, but unite and work cordially with the oil and gas drilling companies to enable them develop the areas in accordance to the agreement reached.
This advice was given by Commissioner of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Henry Okafor, while having audience with journalists, in his office, in Owerri, on Tuesday.
Okafor said the oil companies are always ready to meet the needs of the host communities inline with Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to be able have free, easy and needed access in their operations for optimal production, urging the people, especially their leaders of the host communities, to discard enmity, wickedness, corruption and greed, issues he reiterated hinder development, peace and progress.
He called on the people to channel their issues and grievances to the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry instead of being violent or carrying arms, saying the Ministry is saddled with the mandate of ensuring that the oil companies do the right thing to their host communities to strengthen peace and development.
Okafor who is from the oil producing areas and the former Managing Director of ISOPADEC, said the government of Imo State has been very concerned at the good, joy, peace and prosperity of the hydrocarbon communities, hence its sterling efforts to ensure that the oil and gas conglomerates do the needful to the people.
“The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has been pushing oil companies to fulfill their promises to the people – the PIA should be maintained. The people should be peaceful while pressing home their demands. The leaders of the host communities should stop playing double standard, but work in one accord to see the oil and gas companies do what is right. Governor Hope Uzodimma, who knows what oil politics entails, has brought in more oil companies into the state and this measure has significantly boosted oil production and revenue in the state”, Okafor added.
Okafor said allegations against him by some persons From the areas are baseless as he has been making efforts to reconcile issues to the benefit and advantage of the people who he said deserve good living.
