Youth Leader Wants IOCs To Partner Govt On Projects

As part of measures for promoting effective rural transformation and community development  in Rivers State, a youth leader in Igbo 1, Igbo-Etche, in Etche LGA of Rivers State, Comrade Anayo Nweke, has urged oil companies operating in the area to complement the effort of government in the execution of projects.
The youth leader who spoke with The Tide in an interview in Port Harcourt at the weekend said, oil companies and other multinationals operating in the area can only prove to be responsible corporate citizens “by raising the standard of living of the people through the execution of quality project”.
He regretted that the community as a major oil bearing area, was yet to be properly impacted by the operating oil firms in terms of human capital and infrastructural development, despite bearing the brunt of oil pollution and other environmental hazards.
Nweke, commended the Barr Nyesom Wike administration for the execution of people oriented projects in Rivers State, particularly the speedy delivery of the Chokocho, Igbo-Etche, Eleme Junction link road which was recently commissioned by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.
The Youth leader appealed to the Rivers State Governor to also assist in the completion of the Imeh, Chokota, Ikwerre Ngwo, Umuebulu, Aba road to make life more meaningful for the people and pledged the total support of youth in the area to the Wike government.
He, however, pointed out that government alone cannot do it all and urged multinational companies in the area to contribute their development quota through the implementation of good community development policies in which the people will play active roles.
Nweke called on the multinationals to constantly review their community relations policies in line with the local content act to enhance host community participation in the oil sector.
He emphasised that, “youths empowerment should be given priority attention by oil firms as a fundamental aspect of their corporate social responsibility policy, youths should be given specialised skills-based training to enable them fit into the oil industry”.
According to the youth leader, the deliberate isolation of youths by the oil companies in their operational polices, is a disservice to the community and Rivers State in general.

Taneh Beemene