Business
Monarch Tasks Multinationals On Rural Dev
The paramount ruler of
Utuechi Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Benedict Odili, has charged multinational corporations to initiate programmes that would develop and improve the living conditions of the host communities in their operational areas.
The Opara of Utuechi gave the charge during the inauguration of a community town hall built by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and its joint venture partners at Utuechi recently.
He decried the situation where youths of the area are denied employment, and called for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Odili demanded that building market, fencing of primary school, construction/equipping of a youth development centre, renovation/equipping of the health centre, rehabilitation of access roads and bridges, as well as construction of drainages should form part of the new MoU.
He, however, commended the company for embarking on people oriented project that would enhance communal relationship and social integration.
While thanking NAOC, the Utuechi Community Development Committee Chairman, Sunday Irouah, stressed the need to dialogue on the new MoU since the former one had expired since 2009.
The NAOC General Manager, District, represented by the Public Relation, Communication and Government Laision Manager, Sir Dan Onyeaghala, noted that the project would strengthen the cordial relationship existing between the community and the company.
He urged them to make proper use of the structure and guard against pipeline vandalisation.
In another development, Alex Okoro, road project in Omoku and an equipped health centre in Obagi in ONELGA were respectively inaugurated recently by Agip.
The Obagi Community paramount ruler, Eze Clinton Elemele, lamented the exclusion of indigenes of the Community from the activities of the company and therefore called for the employment of youths of the area, scholarships for students in post primary and tertiary institutions, contracts and skills acquisition programme to enhance human capacity building among the youths.
He lauded the efforts of the company to fulfill its corporate, social responsibilities.
The CDC Chairman, Uhie Emeka, commended the company for fully implementing the 2002 MoU.
The representative of NAOC’s General Manager, District, Dan Onyeaghala, noted that the fulfillment of the 2002 MoU was a true testimony of the company’s commitment towards improving the living conditions of the rural host communities, especially Obaji Community.
While urging them to remain peaceful, he assured that the development of the area will continue to remain the policy thrust of the company.