Oil Communities Demand Community Administration Councils

In order to effectively manage the proposed 10 per cent equity participation fund for oil bearing communities, the Oil Mineral Producing Area Landlord’s Association (OMPALA), has called on the federal government to establish Community Administration Councils (CACs).

The proposal was made by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of OMPALA, Bishop Udo Azogu in an address he presented at the inauguration of Rivers State Chapter of the association in Port Harcourt, recently.

Bishop Azogu submitted that when the community administration councils are established, they would work in partnership with all the three tiers of government in the management of the fund.

He further remarked, “OMPALA, however, wishes to strongly appeal for circumspection on the part of the federal government not to yield to inordinate pressure from politicians to disburse the 10 per cent equity to host communities through organs controlled only by state or local governments if we want good result.”

Bishop Azogu lauded the federal government for embracing dialogue and granting amnesty to the militants. He noted that the action has brought peace and development to the region.

In his address, Chairman of the Rivers State branch, Dr. Otugot Awoh, solicited for both corporate and government support to the dream of the body.

He stated that the body is fully registered and recognized by the government and aimed at seeking the redress of right of oil producing communities in the Niger Delta.

He recalled that the struggle to address the plight of oil producing communities dates back in 1957 when the Willink Commission was set up by the colonial government.

Awoh argued that though Willink recommended the need to address the needs of oil producing communities, the implementation was neglected and abandoned hence the recent violence that engulfed the region.

However, he stated that OMPALA has come to advocate for peace and development through equity and justice for oil bearing communities.