Don Makes Case For Dev Projects

A university don, Dr. A.M. Onyeozu has advised community leaders and stakeholders in Gas Upgrade project in Ikwerre Kingdom to rise to the challenges of protecting development projects sited in their area to encourage more projects.

Dr. Onyeozu of University of Port Harcourt gave the advice at a two-day workshop with the theme “Actualising the Gas Upgrade Vision though Dialogu” organised by Total P&E Nigeria Limited in conjunction with orison Enterprises Nigeria Limited at Mgbolua-Ndele in Emohua Local Government Area of the State.

The University don told participants at the worship that dialogue and consultation at all levels are critical in addressing contending issues and challenges towards execution of projects.

He commended the organisers of the workshop and called for the hosting of such workshop on a regular basis, saying that would go a long way in building understanding among individuals.

Earlier in his address the managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, orison Enterprises Nigeria, Mr. Temple O. Solomon had said that the workshop was designed amongst other things to moderate community expectations and create enabling environment for a peaceful interface between the operators and stakeholders in the Total P&E OML 58 Gas Upgrade Communities in Ikwerre Kingdom.

Mr. Solomon thanked the management of Total P&E Nigeria for accepting proposal forwarded to it for this workshop, hoping that landlords and stakeholders would appreciate their strength and weaknesses in demanding for their rights within the confine of the law.

In their separate lectures, as guest lecturers, Sir, Samuel J. Egbe, a Director in the State Ministry of Education, Mr. Victor Akujuru, a lecturer at the Rivers State university of Science and Technology, Mr. Emmanuel Owor, a Health Planning Officer with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria and Mr. Okechukwu Amadi, a Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Inter Donor Agency defined peace building mechanism, consultation and negotiation as means of conflict resolution.

According to him, a peaceful interface exists between individuals, groups and organisations when social justice prevails to afford individuals and groups fait treatment and impartial share of the benefits of society.

In their goodwill massages, Chief Innocent Emenike Chikwem, a veteran journalist and Dr. Christopher Hekerem who is also the Chairman, Mgbolua Community, Rundele thanked the organisers of the workshop and assured Oil Companies Operating in their domain of protection of facilities.

They also appealed to them to make proper use of memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through peaceful means, especially as it concerns the provision of social infrastructural facilities and employment opportunities for youths in the area.

Chioma Egbeogu