Oil Producing Communities Seek Co-Ownership Of Oil Industry

In a bid to ensure equity and popular participation in the Nigeria oil and gas sector, the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the industry have been charged to involve host communities a co-owners of investments in the industry.

The Rivers State chapter Chairman of Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria, Sir Appolos Amadi gave the charge recently during a media chat with journalists in Port Harcourt.

He explained that the successful implementation of the Nigerian Local Content Act depended on the active involvement of host communities as equal partners in the process.

According to him, before the idea of local content  was mooted, oil producing communities of Nigeria, had established a mechanism which was targeted at promoting a cordial relationship between them and oil companies.

He said it was gratifying that the law has been enacted, and solicited its strict enforcement.

Sir Amadi also called on the Rivers State Government to establish the Rivers State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (RISOPADEC) to facilitate development in oil producing communities and the entire state in general.

Beemene Taneh