BY SAM DUVWODE
The Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has decried the high level of neglect of oil companies corporate social responsibility to their host communities with special reference to oil companies operating in Ndokwa nation.
Sir Onyeme stated this yesterday in his office at Asaba when he received on courtesy visit community leaders from Obetim- Unor and Afor Communities in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Sir Onyeme noted that most communities in Ndokwa nation like other oil bearing communities in the State had similar challenges of lack of basic social amenities such as motorable roads, pipe borne water, primary health care centres among others despite the presence of oil companies operating in their area.
The deputy governor said oil companies operating in Ndokwa nation were not leaving up to expectations in their corporate social responsibility to host communities adding that the peaceful disposition of the people seemed to be taken for granted.
Sir Onyeme assured the people of Obetim community that the Oborevwori administration would reverse the trend of underdevelopment in the Ndokwa land and other communities as it is determined to implement the MORE Agenda in all parts of the state.
He promised that the state government would look into the requests of Obetim community in the area of roads, repair of dilapidated schools, healthcare centre and appeal for the appointment of indigenes into elective and appointive positions.
The deputy governor said the Ndokwa nation would have a sense of belonging in the present administration noting that the government had competitive demands and resources were scarce hence would address development issues on a basis of scale of preference.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Chief Prince Okuguni whose address was read by the Spokesman of Obetim community, Chief Michael Anoki congratulated Sir Monday Onyeme on his successful inauguration as Deputy Governor of the state.
He highlighted some challenges faced by Obetim community to include lack of visible infrastructure such as roads,dilapidated schools, health care centre among others despite the presence of two oil companies operating in the community.
While appealing to the Deputy Governor to assist the Community to produce a Chairman for Ndokwa East Council and to have a ward to enable the community to produce a Councillor being the area with the highest units voting population, Chief Anoki solicited government intervention for the provision of flood control measures and relief materials to farmers whose farmland were over run by herdsmen among others.