NAOC Commissions New Roads In Bayelsa

As part of efforts to improve the living conditions of host communities, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company and its joint venture partners, had commissioned concrete roads and drainages in three communities in Bayelsa State.

The projects were executed at Oki-Ama community, Fierebagha-Ama Community and Olugboboro Community in Southern-Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

Commissioning the projects recently, the General Manager, District, NAOC, Giovanni Salvini, represented by the Public Relations, Communication and Government Laison Manager, Prince Nwachukwu Obi, said the gesture was an indication of the importance NAOC attached to infrastructural development and the general improvement of the living conditions of the host communities Obi disclosed that in Bayelsa alone, about 21 communities had benefited from various community-based projects while more than 40 communities have been criss-crossed NAOCs land and swamp areas in its operational states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Imo, within 10 months.

He said that in order to empower members of host communities, contracts were awarded to indigenous contractors, and warned contractors not to abandon projects awarded them so as not to stall the infrastructural development of the community and the company’s efforts.

Responding, the chairman CDC, Oki-Ama Community, Thank-God Isaiah, thanked the Nigerian Agip Oil Company alleviating the sufferings of the community and assured they would reciprocate the gesture by creating enabling environment for the company.

He identified employment of youths, award of contracts to indigenes and regular supply of diesel to power the generator as the challenges that need to be addressed by NAOC.

Similarly, the CDC chairman of Fierebagha, Frank Ezekiel, while commending Agip for their magnanimity, demanded the employment of their youths, regular power supply to the community from the Obama flow station, completion of shoreline protection project and payment of N2 million monthly royalty to the community by Agip.

Earlier, the representative of the Bayelsa State, Commissioner for Environment, Ezekiel Adike had lauded the efforts of NAOC in complementing the polcy thrust of the state government to the communities.

He urged the communities to maintain the existing cordial relationship between them and Agip, with a view to attracting more developmental projects in the area.