Skip to main content

A’Ibom Oil producing communities pledge to settle issues hindering PIA implementation

A’Ibom Oil producing communities pledge to settle issues hindering PIA implementation 

OIL producing communities of Unyenge and Ntak- Inyang in Mbo and Esit Eket Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom state respectively, have pledged to settle all issues hindering implementation of provisions for Host communities in the Petroleum Industry, (PIA) Act, 2021 in their areas.

The host communities to Universal Energy Resources Limited (UERL), stated gave their assurances in Uyo during a multi-stakeholders meeting organized by the Initiative for Africa Society Inclusion and Diversity (INCLUD) with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by all stakeholders representatives’, including village head of Ntak-Inyang, Chief John Ekwere, and Village Head of Unyenge, Chief Okon Etteokpo.

 In the communique made available to newsmen on Thursday in Uyo, Ntak- Inyang impacted community in particular, pledged to withdraw a pending court injunction over the PIA.

Ntak- Inyang communities also pledged to submit at least six names to the Settlor (UERL) as their representatives for the Board of Trustee (BOT), Management Committee, and Advisory Committee in line with the PIA ACt of 2021.

   According to the communique, the stakeholders’ including Civil Society Organizations, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and Universal Energy Resources Limited resolved that, “the BOT Chairman and team in both Unyenge and Ntak-Inyang should continuously engage with the communities on their programs and activities.

The communique added that, “the  Settlor, BOT, and key stakeholders agreed to resolve the rift between the two factions in Ntak- Inyang. Also all grievances from host communities should be communicated in writing to the BOT for consideration.

“The stakeholders’ resolved that the community development plan and annual budget should be made public to members of host communities upon approval.

  “That following complaint of non-employment of indigenes of the host communities in the UERL, the’ company should prioritize employment of indigenes of host communities as stipulated in the local content law, otherwise, the communities should petition NCDMB”

In her brief opening remarks  Executive Director of INCLUD, Olayinka Akerelodu-Martins, stressed that the stakeholders’ meeting became important in order to address the challenges affecting (UERL’S) Host communities in the state.

“We want to see that the host communities are carried along. There is need for everyone to have understanding of the whole thing

That will bring about the much-desired transparency and accountability”, She advised


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Steer Clear from Tompolo's Pipeline Surveillance Job, Face Your Olu's Contract... Activist Warn Itsekiri Leaders

Steer Clear from Tompolo's  Pipeline Surveillance Job, Face Your Olu's Contract... Activist Warn Itsekiri Leaders  Niger Delta Human Rights Activist, comrade Daniel Ezekiel has berated ltsekiri leaders for calling on  the Federal Government to decentralize the pipeline security contract awarded to the Niger Delta living legend, High Chief Government Ekpemukpolo alias Tompolo. The activist in a statement to FocalPoint Reports, on Thursday, reacted with displeasure and strongly condemned Itsekiri leaders Who were led by Hon. Michael Diden to call for the decentralization of Tompolo's Surveillance contract, during a visit to High Chief Bibopere Ajube (Shoot-at-sight) at his Agadagba-Obon, residence in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State,  Ezekiel Daniel described those who visited Bibopere Ajube as self-proclaimed Itsekiri leaders and their voices are nothing good but mere distractions and should not be taken seriously. He added that the statements m...
1 comment
Read more

NMU Governing Council chairman seeks solutions to challenges facing varsity

NMU Governing Council chairman seeks solutions to challenges facing varsity The Acting Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State,  Adewale Adeogun, has appealed for immediate action to address the pressing challenges facing the institution.   Adeogun, who spoke during the council meeting  in Warri, expressed deep concern over the university’s underdevelopment despite its six-year existence. Highlighting the urgent need for government intervention, Adeogun emphasised the importance of establishing a permanent campus and ensuring adequate funding.  He pointed out that the university’s progress has been hindered by the suspension of projects initiated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). “It is disheartening to see that despite being a specialised university, Nigerian Maritime University is still struggling to find its footing,” Adeogun stated. “We must work tirelessly to secure gov...
Post a Comment
Read more

Retired police officers protest over unpaid pensions

Some retired police officers under the contributory pension scheme on Tuesday, May 21, protested at the National Assembly over alleged several months of unpaid pensions with a call on President Bola Tinubu to remove them from the scheme. The protesters decried the extreme challenges they endure, saying that the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) has failed to pay their entitlements for several months causing them and their families untold hardship. The aggrieved retired police officers also wrote a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, calling for an urgent intervention. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chairman of the retirees, Christopher Effiong said many of their members have developed terminal illnesses and heart attacks as a result of the frustration associated with the scheme. In a letter dated May 21 and addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the retirees said many of their colleagues have lost their lives due to t...
Post a Comment
Read more