BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has said, the reasons for the Niger Delta crisis could be located in the fact that, communities lack equity participation in companies exploring oil and gas in their areas. He noted that extreme deprivation sometimes ignites some of the crisis in the Niger Delta and elsewhere.
Governor Okowa stated this yesterday in Asaba the State capital while declaring open the 27th National Conference of the Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, said “if the situation in ground is that the communties are entitled to some percentage of whatever profit the comapnies declare, communities would no doubt help in checking the activities of criminals vandalizing oil facilities”.
Governor Okowa noted that the theme of the confrence, ‘Relationship between the Oil and Gas Producing Community and the International Oil Companies Operating in the Niger Delta Aeea: What Impact? was most apt but challenging. ” I call on Niger Deltans not to be on-lookers but be active players in the oil and gas industry. We should leave the stage of on-lookers to the stage of active participants in the entire oil and gas business “. He stated.
While commending the traditional rulers for trying to assess the relationship between the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region, he urge them to evaluate the problems and prospects prevalent as a result of the presence of oil companies such as Shell, Exxon-Mobile, Chevron, Agip Elf, among others, on the inhabitants and the oil bearing communities in the entire Niger Delta region.
“However, we should be mindful that most of these international oil and gas companies are gradually divesting from onshore production. We have to weigh this necessary assessment with this stark reality considering the fact that we faced similar situation in the past when the international oil and gas companies moved their offices out from the Niger Delta”. Gov. Okowa stated.
Gov. Okowa use the platform to challenge traditional rulers to look into the envisaged Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, to ensure that it get the maximum benefit.
While calling on all Niger Deltans who are key players in the oil and gas, finance, including legal and community leaders to critically study the PIB and work out modalities on how communities can get immense benefits inherent in it, Dr. Okowa noted that the Bill will open up prospects not only for big indigenous service companies but also for the locals.
Gov. Okowa also call on oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to be mindful of the deleterious effects of their ooerations on the environment and the people.
The Chairman, Oshimili South Local Government Council, Hon. Obi Ezenyili in his remark noted that, oil mineral has been the main stay of the Nigeria economy. According to him, the money given to oil producing communities has remain inadequate campared to the sufferring ranging from land degradation, water pollution among others.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman, TROMPCON, Delta State, HRM, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, noted that, inspite of the great blessingsnof oil wells and several other natural resources found in various communities, it has been worrisome that the much anticipated socio-economic advantages derivable from these resources have continue to elude the people.
HRM, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, noted that, energetic and brilliant youths in the Niger Delta are wasting away and most of the rural folks are impoverished. According to him; “massive degradation of lands and waters in our places by oil spillage and unprecedented pollution have made agriculture which use to our fore-fathers way of life, a thing of the past”.
He noted that as traditional rulers and burden bearers in their various communities, they have a responsibility to always lead from the front in the battle to emancipate the people from clutches of deliberate deprivation and avoidable but seemingly impoverishment.
While noting that TROMPCON was formed about 30 years ago by traditional rulers of oil minerals producing communities in the Niger Delta States to galvanize the people of the region to benefit from their God given resources, HRM Abe 1, said TROMPCON must rise to justify her purpose of existence.
According to him, TROMPCON believe it is time when big oil explorers in our communities and the Federal governnent should resolve to give Niger Delta communities the benefits they deserve for their great sacrifice and comnitment to the development of Nigeria”. HRM Abe 1, stated.