Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has inaugurated a 45-member committee on Oil Producing Areas Community Relations in Badagry.
Ambode said the committee would work at preventing environmental degradation, communal disputes and face-off between investors and host communities of oil producing areas often experienced in other parts of the country.
The governor spoke yesterday while inaugurating Olusola Thomas Court House in Badagry, a new six-room court complex named after a former Chief Judge of the State
On May 3, 2016, Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, a wholly owned indigenous firm and operator of the OML 113, announced the commencement of crude oil production on Aje field located offshore Lagos.
This confirmed Lagos’ status as one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states.
Ambode said: “Lagos, being the home of Nigeria’s most critical commercial activities and now an oil producing state, cannot afford to have any community unrests or disruption of the peace.
“It is imperative that our oil producing companies and their host communities enjoy a very warm and mutually beneficial relationship.”
The governor noted that although oil was the major source of Nigeria’s revenue and despite the huge benefits from its discovery, its exploration had brought some negative effects in the oil producing communities, subsequently affecting the whole nation.
“The exploration activities have been found to create serious environmental challenges affecting health, social and economic activities, sustainable development and ecological balance due to land degradation and air pollution among others.
“These activities among others have led to agitations from communities and youth groups, leading to disruption of exploration activities, pipeline vandalisation and in extreme cases kidnapping and violence,” he said.
This, Ambode noted, has made it difficult to conduct the business of oil production smoothly and ensure that the relationships between the oil companies and their host communities remain cordial at all times.
He added: “This has also affected negotiations for compensations for land acquisition, damages and spills”.
The governor observed that Lagos, being the home of Nigeria’s most critical commercial activities and an oil producing state, cannot afford to have any community unrests or disruption of peace.
“It is imperative that our oil producing companies and their host communities enjoy a very warm and mutually beneficial relationship.
The committee comprises representatives of the state and local government, the host communities, women and youth, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
According to the governor, the committee would, among other things, “interface between the host communities and the oil companies in Badagry, as well as coordinate a seamless implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions planned for the Badagry oil producing areas by oil producing companies in Badagry.
He said: “Our government is committed to creating a conducive environment for all to thrive especially in our budding oil industry. We will always work to protect our people and ensure their improved welfare while at the same time providing an investor-friendly environment.
“On our part, we will take proactive measures to prevent oil spillage and where it happens, quickly move to clean it up according to globally accepted standards. We will also ensure the safety and security of our communities and operators at all times.
Alluding to the fact that the Badagry area was fast becoming a major hub for oil activities in Nigeria, the Governor expressed optimism that the upcoming Badagry Deep Sea Port will provide logistic support for the oil and gas industry and further support the expansion of the economy of this axis thereby making it more viable and liveable.
On the Olusola Thomas Court House, Ambode said it was “another strong representation of his commitment to the rule of law and social justice, as well as a testimony of the determination to ensure that distance or geographical location is not a barrier to citizens’ access to justice.”
He recalled that prior to the construction of the facility, the entire town of Badagry including residents from the Benin Republic border all the way to Okokomaiko were served by only two courts, one for Magistrate and other for High Court, which were grossly inadequate.
The governor said the need to construct more court rooms in the axis was also made imperative by the fact that the Badagry axis was fast evolving as a major economic hub in this state with vast potentials especially in tourism and commerce.
“The ongoing transformation of Badagry through infrastructural renewal and development are meant to open up this part for investors who will take advantage of the multi-million oil exploration activity and Deep Sea Port Project, among others,” he said.
“The court has been equipped with modern facilities for the comfort of not only judges and magistrates but also everyone including lawyers and members of the public.”
The governor also highlighted its security features to include CCTV surveillance cameras and monitors within the various courtrooms and the entire vicinity of this complex.
“There is a well-equipped Library, exhibit room and conference room facilities for the continued training and retraining of justice personnel assigned to this complex. This facility is also equipped with administrative offices that will service the six courtrooms and also accommodate the Office of Public Defender (OPD) which will continue to provide legal services and advice to the vulnerable.”
Besides, Governor Ambode assured that the bad state of roads leading to Badagry would soon be a thing of the past.
