IOCs and Host Communities: Jonathan Calls for Cordial Relationship

From Ugochukwu Desmond

Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has called for a healthy relationship between host communities and Oil multinationals in Nigeria.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said this while commissioning a 350,000 litres Potable Water and Treatment Plant Facility and 1,250 KVA Power Generating set donated by Indigenous Oil firm, Belema Oil Producing Limited at Idama Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The former President said that robust cooperation among oil-producing communities and oil multinationals will boost oil production in the country.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan represented by Ambassador Godknows Igali said commended Belema Oil for embarking on the project at Idama Community.

He said that Belema Oil Producing Limited has set a standard in Community Development.

”The former President has indicated strongly that this is a great model for all other companies that are operating in the area to continue to show more footprints in terms of their impact on the local communities. Work with the local communities to bring more succor to their lives and to join in what governments at various levels are doing. We especially thank Belema Oil for the gesture” he said.

Speaking at the event, the Founder and President of Belema Oil Producing Limited Tein Jackrich said the essence of embarking on such projects is to boost the already existing relationship between the firm and the community.

Jackrich also called on host communities to adopt an intellectual approach to their demands rather than vandalizing pipelines and other oil facilities.

He said that the firm will do more for the community should they maintain the cordial relationship among them.

”When I sat back and looking at home my community and other communities when I said that there is a better life somewhere that they can live. Everything you’re seeing here I designed it and I said to NNPC we can’t let these communities continue to suffer. We thank God that the leadership of NNPC is being supportive and they said if only other operators can act like Belema oil and introduce the Belema Oil model, the local communities and the government will always be at peace, the local communities and the business ventures will always be at peace” he said.

In her speech, the representative of NNPC NAPINS, Ms Clementina Arubi, disclosed that the joint partnership of NNPC/Belema Oil will continue to provide quality projects that will have a positive impact on host communities.

Arubi said the NNPC would continue to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner.

She said the NNPC is committed to the promotion of a stronger bond between the host communities and oil multinationals operating in Nigeria.

According to her, ”the completion and commissioning of these projects in Idama community was in furtherance of the corporate social responsibility initiative of the Nigerian government through its oil and gas sectors. In NNPC our vision for social intervention is to continue to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner and deal with the environment and social impact occasioned by our activities”.

In their separate speeches, Paramount Ruler of Idama Community Kariboye Kariba, Ijaw National Council (INC) President Prof Benjamin Okaba and Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President Peter Igbifa, all commended Belema Oil for the projects.
Our correspondent gathered that the 350,000 liters potable water and treatment plant facility has a life span of 80 years.