Port Manager Wants Firms, Hosts To Interface

The Port Manager, Onne/Ikpokiri Port Complex, Rivers State and Chairman, Joint Free Zone Community Relations Initiative, Alhassan Ismaila Abubakar, has disclosed that the body is inaugurated to interface between the companies and the Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) on issues as well as to foster continuous peace and growth of the economic activities within the Port complex and their host communities.
Abubakar, made this known during a seminar organized by the body for CLOs and Stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Friday.
He said there was a long standing need to harmonize the appointments and activities of the CLOs and the host communities as to bring them under one umbrella, interact and interface with them to know their feelings in a bid to find solution for industrial peace and cordial business environment.
According to him, the host communities of the Port, which are Onne and Ikpokiri have realised the importance of peace, even with the economic recession, as it would not benefit anybody if companies were closed down due to insecurity or restiveness and enjoined them to maintain that spirit.
The Port manager also hinted that the body is to bridge communication gap between the companies, host communities and other stakeholders and foster relationship to enhance peace and growth of economic activities in the Port Complex and the Free Zone, adding that they are to intervene and settle industrial disputes between companies and host communities or even company against company.
Chairman of the body also noted that they are to work in synergy with security agencies to resolve security matters with companies carrying out community development as well as provision of infrastructures, community youth empowerment scheme, regulate and provide employment for the host communities and also provide skill acquisition training and scholarship for the youths.
Abubakar advised the CLOs to give quarterly report to their communities, companies and their body for update in their activities and relationship and also checkmate and access their performances and thanked all for their cooperation.

Collins Barasimeye