NAOC Commissions Projects In Bayelsa

In compliance to the agreed Memorandum of  Understating with its host communities, the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and its joint venture partners have respectively. Commissioned a six classroom block in Abuetor Community in Sagbama Local Government Area and a community Town Hall in Ologoama community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In his remark while commissioning the projects during the week, NAOC General Manager, District, Giovanri Salvini, represented by the Public Relations Communication and Government Laison Manager, Prince Nwachuku Obi, said that the projects are true testimony of company’s willingness to improve the general living standard of the host communities.

He recalled that last year, NAOC respectively commissioned Okugbe Isoko Health Centre / Doctors and Nurses quarters in Osifo community, while in Okoroma clan, it commissioned 2 kilometer road and drains in Ologoama, Akakumama and Dorgu Ewoama communities of the clan.

According to him, “this exercise is not limited to the respective communities, we have over the past eight months, covered more than forty communities within the land and swamp Areas of our operational states of Beyalsa, Rivers, Delta and Imo.

He maintained that in order to empower the host communities, the contracts are awarded to indigenous contractors, advising them not to abandon projects awarded them, so as not to stall the developmental efforts of the company.

Prince Obi urged the respective communities to maintain the existing cordial relationship to enable the business environment continue to thrive.

Speaking, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment representative, Director, Ezekiel Adike, lauded    Agip for its magnanimity and commended the various communities for maintaining peace in the area, as well as protecting the oil facilities   sited in their domain.

He warned that any attempt to interrupt  oil operations in the community will not only hamper progress in the area but will also affect the revenue allocation of the state and inturn  show down the pace of development in the rural areas and  the state in general.

Earlier in their address, the President-General of Abuetor community, Chief Lawrence  Agwor thanked Nigerian Agip Oil Company and its joint venture for their commitment toward the realisation of the six-class room block project for and the government’s preparedness to take over the school.

He appealed to NAOC to expedite action on  the supply of science equipment and provision of mini-water scheme for effective take off of the school.

He called  on the government to complement NAOC’s efforts by providing hostels, teachers quarters and other necessary amenities. The President demanded  that NAOC should as a matter  of priority separate the new MOU between  the Abuetor, Osifo and Osekwenike communities, in order to fostering peace and unity among the sister communities.

Similarly  the CDC chairman of Ologoama, Edler Willis Obiene, in an address, expressed his appreciation over the electrification, Health Centre,  Concrete landing jetty/roads and water scheme projects already commissioned  in the area by Agip as well as the town hall project.

The chairman Ologoama council of Chiefs, Chief Ohikakpan expressed his gratitude over the kind gesture of NAOC, describing Agip as the only visible government in action in Ologoama.

He enjoined the community to encourage the company to site more developmental projects  by ensuring that peace and tranquillity  reigns so as to create enabling environment for NAOC  smooth oil operations to thrive.