The Nation Newspaper

Tag: communities

  • Total oil, communities renew pact in Rivers 

    Total Exploration and Production of Nigeria (TEPNG) yesterday assured its host communities in Rivers State of prompt release of funds to implement the company’s responsibility in the new Memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with them.

    Total’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD), Port Harcourt District,  Francois Le Cocq, spoke during the signing of the  MOU with Rumuogba and Rumuji communities of Obio/ Akpor and Emohua local governments in Port Harcourt.

    Le Cocq, who was represented by a company official,  Okechukwu Obara, said the company attached importance to the agreements and would manage it amicably so it would not affect operations of the company.

    “In order to embrace the current global anti bribery and compliance campaign ongoing in the compound, we must ensure transparency and integrity in project nomination and execution process.

    “On our part, notwithstanding the challenges that affected the past agreements,  we shall do our best to manage disbursement of funds for the implementation of the MOUs such that it will not put the company’s operation at risk.”

    Earlier, the deputy managing director hailed the process leading to the signing, believing that with sincerity and cooperation from parties,  the  agreement would spread in such a way that the impact would be all-embracing

    Le Cocq said: “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this formal signing ceremony of the renegotiated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the communities.

    “I am proud that the various engagements and negotiation meetings with you have yielded mutually acceptable agreements that will form the basis of our relationship with your communities for the next five years.

    “I am quiet convinces that the content and depth of the agreements to be signed today(yesterda), are far reaching and have the potential to positively affect the lives of the communities if parties show sincerity in their implementation and management.

    “Judging from the various provisions made in therein, from the infrastructure to human capital development initiatives, it is clear that the company is committed to touching the lives of the communities regardless of the challenges which the industry is facing today.” he said.

    The deputy managing director promised that Total would ensure that issues which affected past agreements were avoided.

    “Reflecting from the outcome of various implementation reviews,  I believe we have understood the causes and the effects of our actions and/or inactions.

    “We have observed and are worried about some grey areas of our implementation strategies. We believe that projects and programmes nominations and implementation should address identifies needs and not contract driven venture for few benefit captors.

    “As we celebrate this renewed relationship,  let us so so with a renewed spiritband conviction to implement the provisions of the new agreement for the mutual benefit of all the parties as TEPNG will be fulfilled and proud to identify with positive results which shall be brought to the communities through the implementation of this MOU,” he expressed.

  • Return to your communities, Buratai tells IDPs

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, has advised displaced people in Borno North to return home to restart their lives as their communities are now safe and secured.

    He made the call at the inauguration of nine gunboats for the Amphibious Task Force Detachment at Baga, for patrol and clearing the remaining Boko Haram terrorists from the Lake Chad waterways.

    The IDPs, he said, should “leverage on the deployment of Operation Last Hold to return to their communities which have long been liberated by our gallant troops.”

    Buratai said all  roads linking communities within these areas have “been cleared of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as well as insurgent activities as they can no longer pose any credible threats to your daily routine.”

    Earlier, the army chief, represented by Maj.-Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Operation and Training, Army formally launched the ongoing “Operation Last Hold” at Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno.

    The four-month long operation began on May 1 and was designed to flush out remnant of terrorists in Borno North and Lake Chad region as well as facilitate the return of IDPs to their communities.

    Buratai said that the operation was meant to achieve three objectives.

    His words:”These are clearance operations to further decimate remnant of the Boko Haram terrorists, ensure return of IDPs to their communities and provide safe and secured environment for the resumption of farming, fishing and other economic activities in Northern Borno.”

    On gunboat and other platforms being delivered to the amphibious task force, he said that they were to enable the unit to immediately commence clearance of the Lake Chad waterways.

    “The amphibious task force detachment is expected to work in conjunction with the ongoing naval operations to have a collective increased number of gunboats and capabilities.

    “This is to ensure adequate patrols and force projection for clearance operations to provide security and safety for fishing as well as free use of the Lake Chad by our people,” he said.

    The Lake Chad Basin, according to him, provides water to more than 30 million people living in the four countries surrounding it, the bulk of which are Nigerians.

    The chief of army staff noted that the Lake had the potential to provide over 300 metric tons of fish protein annually, representing about 12.2 per cent of the total fish demand of Nigeria.

    At Gudumbali, Buratai symbolically set fire to the bush (Sharan gona) to signal the commencement of the 2018 clearing and farming activities in the area.

    Buratai appealed to the people not to provide “hiding place” for terrorists fleeing the ongoing last onslaught against them.

    “They deserve no respite as they chose to bring this hardship on the Northeast. Operation last hold has the mandate to provide you adequate protection at home, farms and other places of business,” he said.

    The army chief said that ongoing efforts to clear the terrorists and other criminal elements from the Sambisa forest had achieved tremendous success, adding that the insurgents were on the run.

    “I want to also reaffirm the commitment of the Nigerian Army not to lose any ground in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in our country.”

    During the four-month ongoing operation  communities like Malam Fatori, Gashigar and Damask, Gili, Zari, Gudu, Malumshi, Gudumbali, Gerere, Arege, Melete, Cuskawa, Kukawa, Kekeno, Ngole, Marte and Keremoa are to be cleared of terrorists.

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Roger Nicholas, Chief of Military/Civil Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, Commander, Operation Last Hold, Maj.-Gen. Abba Dikko and Acting General Officer Commanding – GOC 8 Division Task Force, Maj.-Gen. Steven Olabanji accompanied the chief of army staff.

     

  • Communities shut OML 30 in Delta over neglect

    HOST communities to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30 in Delta State yesterday took over two flow stations to protest the alleged lack of faith by operators of the lease.

    Men, women and youths from Orogun and Kokori, under Cluster 4 of OML 30, occupied and sealed off  the access into the Erhoike Flowstation in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area.

    Also, women from Oleh in Isoko South occupied the Olomoro Flowstation.

    At Olomoro, three protesters were reportedly beaten up by soldiers and their leader arrested.

    But it was different at Erhoike, as the protesters demonstrated unchallenged.

    The communities said they were angry at various alleged inhuman activities of  the operator; Heritage Energy Operational Services (HEOS).

    This, they listed as unfulfilled commitments and an attempt to circumvent a direct interface, by using a non-government organisation and by-passing the Community Development Board (CDB), a body mandated to interface for them.

    Secretary of Cluster 4 Pastor Adese Andy, at Erhoike, said Heritage had been given a seven-day ultimatum to address their grievances, adding that the flowstation will remain inactive until their call is heeded.

    He said: “Heritage should listen to us because the host communities have suffered enough.

    “If they don’t come, we will remain here and there’ll be no operation until they answer us. As of now, this flowstation is not operating, it is shut down. Not just here, but the entire OML 30 fields.”

    A youth leader in Erhoke-Kokori, Mr. Oghenero Onuhwo, said besides CDB, they would have nothing to do with anyone, saying CDB had always represented them.

    Chairman of Oleh Community Development Committee (CDC) in Olomoro, Chief Ekokobe Obaro, said they had always been sidelined as no Oleh name appeared in operations of the oil firm.

    Efforts to reach the firm’s Executive in charge of Community Relations, Richard Cutts, were unsuccessful.

  • Communities lament 12 years power outage

    The Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) in Ondo State has organised a forum in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government.

    It is to assess the 26-year membership of the state as an oil producer.

    At the event, attended by stakeholders, the lawmaker representing Ilaje/Ese Odo, Kolade Akinjo, decried lack of electricity in the area for 12 years.

    He urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to pay the contractor the handling electricity project.

    The theme of the forum was: “26 Years of Recognition of Ondo State as an Oil Producing State: The Gain, the Pain, the Future of Eagle that Laid the Golden Eggs”.

    Akinjo said if NDDC paid the contractor, there would be no excuse to delay the project.

    He wondered why oil producing communities were disconnected 12 years ago from the national grid, and implored the NDDC to pay the contractors.

    The legislator enjoined stakeholders and the government to spend on education, saying the oil could dry any time.

    Chairman of the occasion Prince Oluyemi Ogunyomi said the theme was apt, adding that oil production had been on for long before Ondo was recognised as an oil-producing state.

    Ogunyomi, a former Clerk of the National Assembly and Asiwaju of Ilaje land, said it was imperative to change the prospect of the area.

    He advised stakeholders to design plans to   change the outlook of the area and its people.

    The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said the government and oil companies should prioritise education in the Niger Delta to put it on the same pedestal with other regions.

    NDYM Chairman Adetoye Agbejoye said the event was significant because it was the first time indigenes would come together and appraise the development of the community.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to appoint the state’s representative in the NDDC board.

    Agbejoye urged the commission to pay the contractor at Omotosho plant.

  • Kwara communities agree on peace

    About 14 communities in Offa and Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State have agreed to live in peace.

    The communities, under the Ibolo Kingdom of old Oyo Empire, include Offa, Erin-Ile, Ijagbo, Ipee, Ira, Igboidun, Aohgbada, Igosun and Ilemona.

    Others are Ojoku, Igbana, Igbotele and Ikotun-Ile.

    These communities have been fighting over land.

    At their maiden peace parley in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun council, the communities pledged to keep to the agreement reached.

    The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mohammed Mufutau Gbadamosi, said the meeting was a milestone to develop Ibolo kingdom.

    The monarch, who was represented by Funsho Oladipo, said: “We know that with the gathering of great minds, great things come out. We have come to let you know that we love peace.

    “With all humility and strength of mind, we tender our unreserved apologies for all our real and imagined wrongs. I must say that we have lost a great deal of human and material resources and to pursue peace, we have to let old and new wounds heal.

    “By this, we of Offa will pursue peace with all our hearts. Offa is willing and ready to do it. Therefore, we are advocating a borderless Ibolo land; we believe that our joint economies will blossom with that.”

    The Onipe of Ipee, Oba Muftau Adebayo Lawal, who was represented by Sunday Ogunwuyi, said: “We are gathered here today because we want peace in Ibolo land. We can only have peaceful co-existence through open-mindedness and complete forgiveness.

    “This is a forum that I believe God has ordained for Ibolo land, and we should use this avenue to tell ourselves some bitter truth with open mind and genuine love for one another.”

    The keynote speaker and ex-Afenifere Secretary-General, Ayo Opadokun, attributed the disunity in Ibolo land to its contact with imperialist powers.

    He said: “The disharmony in Ibolo Kingdom over the years was caused by fifth columnists, who want to feed from where they did not sow. There has been no time when Offa was the aggressor; we are contented with what God has given to us.

    “Our concern is that our progress should not be a thing that will be condemned by those with whom we have been destined to live together. None of us can decide to relocate; we are here already and God has destined that we live together.

    “As Offa is the largest community in this area, any progress that happens to Offa will certainly percolate and extend to the surrounding communities. Therefore, there is no need for us to create dissention.”

  • Communities threaten Eko Disco over ‘crazy bills’

    MEMBERS  of the United Community Development Associations (CDA) in Era and Adaloko in  Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have asked the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to stop sending then crazy bills.

    They demanded for pre-paid meters to guide against ‘’these outrageous bills’’.

    They said they would take steps to bar the firm’s officials from coming into their communities if their conditions are not met.

    The CDA appealed to the Federal Government to allow it to buy pre-paid meters from the manufacturers so as to stop Disco staff from exploiting customers.

    The CDA spokesman, Mr. Dele Odebiyi, said the communities contributed to buying their cable poles,  aluminium conductors and transformers.

    “We also contribute to pay for services and parts anytime our transformers develop faults. All the Discos come to do is to install and switch on the transformers, for which they arm-twist us into ceding the ownership of the equipment to them as a pre-condition to linking us to the national  grid, for which we also pay them to do. So, why are we paying for services not rendered? Why must we continue to pay for darkness?” he asked.

  • 118 Enugu communities receive N5m each for development projects

    118 Enugu communities receive N5m each for development projects

    One hundred and eighteen autonomous communities in Enugu State yesterday received N5m cheque each from the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for development projects of their choice.

    The communities were those who were able to fulfill the requirements for the release of the fund, as the first tranche of the N10 million earmarked for every community in the state to execute development projects of their choice.

    The 118 autonomous communities that received their cheques, according to the Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Gab Onuzulike, were among the 450 communities approved by the Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO) that have opened accounts with designated banks.

    He added that the remaining communities will receive theirs as soon as they open bank accounts and send the details to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters/Rural Development.

    Ugwuanyi while presenting the cheques to the Traditional Rulers and the President Generals of Town Unions in the communities stated that the decision was in line with his administration’ resolve to empower each autonomous community in the state with the sum of N10 million  to carry out projects that would address their “peculiar and immediate development needs”.

    The governor added that the government decided that the choice of the projects and their execution were left “entirely” to the discretion and at the disposal of the stakeholders of each individual community.

    He said: “This was in fulfillment of our promise to promote participatory democracy and extensive rural development in the state as well as the involvement of all local communities in the implementation of government policies and programmes”.

    Ugwuanyi, who disclosed that the exercise was the first time in the history of the state, explained that the projects to be executed by the communities are different from those being done in various communities by his administration through the Community Development Project (CDP), the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    According to him, “to march words with action, the State Executive Council on the 22nd of November 2017, approved the release of the sum of N2.25 billion to cover the first tranche of N5 million to be given to every community in the state so as to enable them commence work on their self-chosen projects. The communities were also asked to open bank accounts for the lodgment of the said funds”.

    While thanking the communities that received the cheques for their support and eagerness to participate in “this historic scheme”, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed explicit confidence that they will utilize the funds for the identified purposes for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of their people, reassuring that his administration will not relent in its development efforts until the fruits of good governance are felt in every community in Enugu State.

    The Igwes and the Town Unions’ Presidents-General, the Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for the “innovative, unique, socio-economic and new developmental strategy for Enugu State”, saying that they are happy to have him as a governor.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Town Unions, Hon. Paully Eze had described the release of the fund as a pleasant surprise, saying that the governor has wiped away the tears of the people in so many communities, who he said had never experienced any development project in their areas.

    He maintained that the grassroots development programme, will ensure that government presence is registered in all the over 450 autonomous communities in the state, commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for his passion for the wellbeing of the people.

  • Kwara communities settle differences

    Kwara communities settle differences

    Feuding Offa and Ijagbo communities, in Offa and Oyun local government areas of Kwara State, have settled their differences at a meeting in Ilorin, the capital.

    The communities last week engaged in bloody brawls over land.

    One person was feared dead; many were injured.

    President of Offa Descendants Union (ODU) Najeem Yasin, and President of Ijagbo Descendants Union (IDU) Tunde Agboola Oyawoye, addressed reporters after the meeting.

    Oyawoye spoke through Chairman of the Ilorin branch of IDU, Samuel Ebun Akinola.

    They announced a 14-man committee to ensure implementation of decisions reached at the meeting.

    They directed the re-opening of schools, which were shut following the mayhem.

  • Dangote Cement gives scholarships to 115 students in host communities

    Dangote Cement gives scholarships to 115 students in host communities

    Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant has announced a multi-million naira educational scholarship award for 115 students from its 15 host communities for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The company said the scholarship, which is a major boost to its corporate social responsibility profile, has become an annual event meant to contribute to the educational development of the people and the area.

    Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Ibese, Mr. Louis Raj, while speaking during the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries at Ibese Plant, explained that the management decided to increase the number of beneficiaries to 115 from the previous 80 so that more children of the area could benefit.

    He said the decision was meant to encourage the young ones to go to school as a sure way of building them mentally and morally so that they would be good to themselves and the society.

    According to him, the scholarship award is one of the many social services the company has committed itself to and continue to provide other social services as a way of giving back to the society within which it operates.

    Raj stated that the scholarship award and other CSR projects were being undertaken as a way of saying thank you to the people for maintenance and sustenance of peace in the area.

    He noted that it was the prevailing atmosphere of peace that make the company to operate smoothly.

    He expressed the management gratitude to the royal fathers and other community leaders whose efforts have accounted for the peace and tranquility, noting that the company would wish the spirit of peaceful coexistence continues.

    General Manager, Government and Community Relations, Joseph Alabi while giving the breakdown of the scholarship, said the award covered 115 students of Yewa origin studying various courses across several higher institutions of learning.

    Some of the schools where the beneficiaries are studying include polytechnics, universities, College of Educations, College of Technologies and secondary schools in Ogun State.

    Alabi also announced a list of candidates from the host communities who have been selected to attend Dangote Academy for training in various arts and vocations.

    The training, he said, would equip them with wherewithal to work and do their own business whenever they chose to be.

    Olu of Imasayi Oba Gbadebo Oni said the host communities were happy with Dangote Cement with its handling of community issues, saying Alhaji Aliko Dangote deserves all the cooperation his people could muster for siting the cement plant in their land and then taking care of the people and the communities.

    He promised that his people would continue to give peace a chance always because to whom much is given, much is expected. The monarch said the education scholarship was the best thing that has happened to the host communities because the issue of quality education cannot be quantified in monetary terms.

    The scholarship, according to him, has offered big reliefs to parents, who have to struggle so much to ensure their children school fees are paid, saying they will forever be grateful to the management of Dangote cement.

    Also, the Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko factory in Benue State had also given out N20 million worth of scholarships to indigent students from the firm’s host community, Mbayion, as part of its CSR in the last one year.

    The Group also emerged Nigeria’s best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company according to a survey by Governance Advancement Initiative for Nigeria (GAIN), an NGO.

    Dangote was the adjudged overall winner among 25 Nigerian and multinational companies operating in the country in 2016, scoring 6.3 per cent, followed by Nestle with 5.51 per cent and Etisalat with 5.45 per cent.

     

  • Okorocha’s wife, communities laud Seplat’s CSR

    Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, operator of the NNPC/Seplat Joint Venture, has launched the inaugural edition of its Eye Can See Programme  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes for its host communities in Imo State.

    The programme was initiated six years ago in Sapele, Delta State, the operational base of Seplat’s Western assets.

    The launch witnessed a large turnout.

    For the programme, beneficiaries had their eyes tested, received prescribed glasses and some had surgeries for cataract related visual impairments.

    The Safe Motherhood Programme saw beneficiaries – pregnant women and nursing mothers – receive lectures on danger signs of pregnancy and nutrition in pregnancy. They were also presented with Safe Motherhood kits made up of a maternity bag, vitamin supplements, treated mosquito nets and all medical items required for safe delivery.

    In her remarks at the event, Imo State governor’s wife, Dr Nneoma Okorocha, commended Seplat for thits CSR initiatives which she said have impacted the lives of members of the host communities.

    She urged the company to sustain the programme towards deepening its contribution to the development of the state’s health sub-sector.

    Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc Chief Executive Officer Mr. Austin Avuru said the  communities were critical stakeholders of the company, which underscores the need to execute the CSR programmes.

    He assured that the company is  committed to sustaining the CSR health and other programmes  targeted at the socio-economic development of the state.

    The firm’s General Manager, External Affairs & Communications Dr. Chioma Nwachuku said both health programmes are in alignment with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Developing Goals (SDG) 3, which is to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all”.

    The event was attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, key government functionaries and management/staff of Sepalt. The programme will continue for a week to offer opportunity to more beneficiaries in Imo State.