GMoU: Oil Firms Should Partner With Govt

For the acclaimed community engagement and development model, Global Memorandum of Understanding, (GMoU) to be effective among oil companies and their host communities; multinationals operating in the Niger Delta have been asked to partner with government on development projects.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Godknows Tam George dropped the hint last Friday at the Port Harcourt International Oil and Gas Conference, held at the auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.

George, who represented the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Magnus Abe at the event, said it was pertinent for oil firms to partner with government at all levels in carrying out community-related projects.

This partnership, he noted, will bring about sustainable development and erase the discrepancies in project execution, which he claimed comes at the discretion of the companies, and allegedly, breed conflicts.

He hinted that Rivers State Government presently partners with the NDDC to avoid duplication of functions, saying that the door was open to other corporate organizations for constructive engagement that will bring about sustainable development in Rivers State.

Responding to a paper presentation by Chevron, on GMoU, he said it was wrong for oil firms to impose projects on communities without due consultation on areas of development interest.

He said the Chibuike Amaechi-led government inherited a crisis situation in key sectors of the economy, such as security, infrastructure, education and health, adding that as a focused government, these critical sectors have received due attention.

He described the oil and gas conference as a veritable platform to brainstorm on the challenges of oil and gas development in the Niger Delta.

George also disclosed that the Rivers State Government had put in place a business- friendly environment, and called for direct foreign investment in the state.

Beemene Taneh