President Muhammad Buhari has apologised to host communities of Oil Mining Lease (OML) in Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers State, for the neglect they suffered despite over 40 years of oil and gas production in the area.
This is as Belema, Offoin-Ama and Ngeje communities removed the traditional barricades to the oil field to signal the formal resumption of operations in the oil field that was shut since August 2017.
Speaking on Thursday at Belema community, during the official reopening of the Belema Flow Station, Buhari said he was saddened by the poor quality of water the people drink despite contributing so much to the national coffers.
He said his administration would bring a lot of changes to better the lot of the host communities and other communities in the Niger Delta region.
The event featured the groundbreaking ceremony of 1.5 million-liter potable water and 12-kilometer treated water reticulation project for Oko-Ama and Belema communities by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The event also featured the performance of traditional rites to announce the vacation of the Belema Flow Station, by the host communities, led by the traditional ruler of Opu-Kula, King Bourdilon Ekine Oko.
The President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Niger Delta, Senator Ita Enang, lauded the Founder of the indigenous oil firm, Belemaoil Producing Limited, Jack-Rich Twin Jnr for his efforts towards attracting development to the area.
He expressed sadness that the OML 25 host communities were demanding for potable water, schools and hospitals after over 40 years of oil production.
The President said: "We have visited all your communities, we have seen your school, there are no hospitals. We have seen your source of drinking water, I touched the water but for over 30 minutes, the oil from it is yet to dry from my hands.
"It is saddening that your communities are requesting for schools and potable water in 2019, more than 40 years after oil exploitation and exploration here. On behalf of the country, we apologise to the communities for the neglect the have suffered all these years."
Speaking at the occasion, NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, thanked the host communities for their peaceful initiative that led to the resumption of operations at the flow station.
Kyari, who was represented by the Group Managing Director of NAPPIMS, Musa Lawan, assured the host communities that the Federal Government would address all their issues as they arise.
Before performing the rituals for vacating the flow station, the Amayanabo of OpuKula, King Bourdillon Ekine Oko, lamented the deprivations the people were forced to pass through by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) that forced the community to shut down the flow station.
No comments:
Post a Comment