BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Anambra State Government has reiterated its dedication to transforming oil communities in the State into model communities, complete with modern infrastructure and amenities.
According to the government, plans are underway to build new schools, roads, hospitals, and other essential facilities to improve the quality of life for residents in these communities.
This commitment aims to address the historical neglect and environmental degradation faced by oil-producing areas, ensuring a brighter future for the communities.
The Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Anthony Ifeanya, gave the assurance in Awka, during a one-day dialogue on building trust and transparency, strengthening relationships among stakeholders, government and host communities in the state.
The event, organized by a non- governmental organization, had in attendance, Traditional rulers from host communities, their Presidents General, youth leaders, extractive stakeholders, security agencies and the Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Engineer Ikechukwu Okafor, among others.
Barrister Ifeanya, who called for urgent need for confidence building between SEEPCO, the State government and host communities, warned that the achievement of model host communities will be a mirage if there is no peace.
He however identified poor development of oil community as one of the major causes of restiveness, and stressed the need for host communities to be given sense of belonging.
Referencing section 234 and 257 of the Petroleum Industrial Act, PIA, a member of the Board of Trustees, BOT, for Ogwu- Anocha, Mr. Tony Ebeonwu, and his community liaison officer counterpart, Mr. Chukwujioha Mbonu, affirmed that SEEPCO has complied with the constitution of members of BOT, while Management and Advisory Committees are yet to be constituted.
The President General of Ogwu-Ikpele community in Ogbaru Council Area, Mr Sunday Madupue, expressed worry that after the constitution of BOT members on eight December 2023, that constitution of Management Board should follow suit, and frowned that since then; nothing has been done, which according to him is against the stipulation of the law on that.
Earlier during a lecture on Extractive and Environmental Impact Assessment in the oil producing communities of Anambra State, a Professor of Environmental Law from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Charity Emelie, demanded the availability of trained and qualified experts to plan, guide and monitor the methods and technologies that facilitate sustainable development.
Professor Emelie also implored government to focus on human resource training and capacity development programs that provide the requisite expertise knowledge, while unnecessary political interferences in project should be reduced to the barest minimum.
