The Management of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Port Harcourt
ports have been enjoined to ensure that they exercise their co-orperate
social  responsibility to their host
community in order to maintain the cordial relationship and peaceful business
atmosphere.

The Chairman of Bundu Ama community in Port Harcourt, Prince
Addah William made the call during a meeting between the management of the port
and the executive of Bundu Ama community at the Port Managers office recently.

Prince William, who expressed concern over the Authority’s
neglect on its host community said there is need for understanding between the
management of NPA and its terminal operators, Port Terminal Operators Limited
(PTOL) and Bua Ports and Terminals to maintain the peaceful relationship for
mutual benefits.

According to him, the call on the m,anagement of the port
will facilitate an understanding that would make the Terminal Operators to
recognise the status of Bundu-Ama community as their host, adding that some of
the problems facing the community include unemployment of the youth especially
in the on-going rehabilitation work of the rail lines, empowerment of the
indigenes, road network and other social developmental projects which are
lacking in the area.

Prince William, however, assured the management of their
resolved to co-operate with the management and give them all necessary support
to carry out their business, and appealed to the people of the community to be
patient, as another meeting had been scheduled for October 10, 2012 for
dialogue with the management.

In his speech, the Port Manager, Port Harcourt Ports, Mr.
Oladele Alabi appealed to the community to continue to maintain the peaceful
atmosphere with the authorities for mutual benefit and thanked the newly
elected executive for their peaceful disposition towards the port and the management.

Mr. Alabi lauded them for their peaceful election and said
the issues they raised are well noted, and assured them of positive response to
their demands especially on the area of youth employment.

He assured that certain category of the workforce in NPA and
the terminal operators have been set aside for the host community and urged the
leadership to submit list of their youths from 18-20 years and above for
employment consideration.

Highlights of the meeting was the appointment of committee
by the ports manager which include four persons from Bundu-Ama community three
from Rivers Port Complex and one each from PTOL and Bua.

Collins Barasimeye