STAKEHOLDERS URGE OIL RICH COMMUNITIES IN ANAMBRA TO SUSTAIN PEACE

REPORTER: CHIKA ESONWUNE

Nature endowed oil communities in Anambra State have been urged to see the natural resource as a blessing and not avenue for war.

The state Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr. Anthony Ifeanya, gave the advice in an interactive session organised by Anambra State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in partnership with African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development for host communities.

According to the Commissioner, the interaction was aimed at promoting sustainable development and addressing concerns of host communities and sundry stakeholders in the petroleum industry.

Addressing participants drawn from the host communities, relevant ministries and agencies, the academia, partners among others, Mr. Ifeanya applauded Governor Soludo for ensuring that Anambra State got its rightful share as an oil producing state in Nigeria.

Mr. Ifeanya noted that Anambra State Government, through “the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, targets to nip in the bud, youth restiveness that characterised other oil producing states.”

He stressed that the natural resource should change the life of members of host communities, boost their economy and that of the state in general under harmonious and peaceful co-existence.

Contributing, the Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development, Mr. Monday Osasah, said following the listing of Anambra State as an Oil producing state in Nigeria, the host communities needed to be nurtured on the laws guiding Oil and Gas industries to prevent the state from falling short of expectations.

Speaking on the overview of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and Host Communities Provisions, the Chief Executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Kumulafe, disclosed that the commission is saddled with the responsibility of implementing the law as relatated to PIA.

Mr. Kumulafe who was represented by the head, Health, Safety Environment and Community, NUPRC Owerri, Dr. Benjamin Okpa, noted that they would ensure that the communities and the sectors did not cheat each other but maintain equilibrium.

In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), DR. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, represented by the Director, Policy, Planning and Strategy, NEITI, Dr. Deter Bassey, urged extractive industries to ensure compliance with the provision of host community trust fund, which according to him, should be funded by three per cent operating cost.

Participants described the interaction, which featured lectures and question and answer sessions as an eye opener which enlightened them on the benefits of peace, dialogue and negotiation.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU