Landlords Frustrating Total’s Development Efforts In Obagi -Monarch

A traditional ruler in Rivers State has accused landlords in Obagi Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of frustrating the community development efforts of the French oil giant, Total E&P Nigeria Limited.
Making this disclosure, last Friday, in Port Harcourt, the Paramount ruler of Obagi, HRH Eze Abella Benson, the Ochi Oha1 of Obagi, said instead of using the funds provided to them by the oil company to execute projects, the landlords withhold part of the money thereby increasing the number of abandoned projects.
“ Total is a company that has human face. It has done well in ensuring that its host communities, especially Obagi is developed.
“ But the landlords always like to drag the company’s intention into the mud by not making adequate use of the money the company is pumping into the communities.
Eze Benson said that almost every body in the area claim to be competent landlord contractor, hijacking contracts from the company but regretted that at the end of the day, they would not be able to deliver the contracts awarded to them .
He blamed what he termed an avalanche of uncompleted projects in the area on this ugly attitude, and stressed that such trend was against the interest of the people and noble intention of the company .
The traditional ruler rated Total E&P very high in its community development efforts compared to such other companies as Nigeria Agip Oil Company, and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas.
“ In terms of construction of schools, provision of secondary and university  scholarships, including foreign scholarship, Total has been wonderful.
“ Total has trained many of the youths on various skills, electrification, water provision and road network.
“ By my position as Paramount ruler of Obagi , there is need to pass unbiased judgement. Total has done well. Let other companies operating in the area emulate Total’s exemplary efforts on host community development.

Chris Oluoh