OIL FACILITIES IN ABIA; ABIA GOVERNMENT MEETS WITH TOTAL E/P..

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Following the recent agitation against the Total E & P Nigeria Limited by the host oil communities in Ukwa West LGA which provoked a tour of the oil facilities by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, a peace meeting was held today with the company.

Speaking at the meeting held in Government House, Umuahia, the Governor said that the State government wants oil companies to thrive but advised that they must perform their Corporate Social Responsibility to the community and the State as a whole.

He pointed out that Abia State should be getting tax revenues from the company. Oil Companies should involve the host communities by making them know the local content, provide jobs for the people and hold meeting with them by creating Community Relations Offices.

The Governor regretted that since 1958 the oil exploration started in Owaza community, there is nothing to show for it in terms of development in the area. He stressed that it was lack of clear communication between Total E & P Nigeria Limited and its host community, that led to the problem, stressing that the people should have an idea of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the company in their land. He assured the willingness of the community to do business with the company.

Dr. Ikpeazu who thanked the Owazza people for their maturity in handling the case, observed that there was need to treat the people well as Owaza community in the tradition of Abians are known to be very peaceful. He added that Nigeria should start to compensate oil communities that do not carry arms against oil companies in their vicinities.

Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director, Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Portharcourt, Mr. Francois Le-Cocq appreciated the Governor for conveying the meeting. He said his company will involve dialogue in settling the matter as he believes in dialogue. Mr. Le-Cocq pleaded with Owaza community not to prevent them from working in the community.

In a vote of thanks, the leader of Owazza community, Chief Sam Nwogu thanked the Governor on behalf of his people for standing for them and promised to provide enabling environment for the company to work.

abiaonline.com

lalasticlala we are not taking chances again. Every kobo owed to abia must be paid

IKPEAZU, TOTAL MEET OVER UNREMITTED REVENUE, OIL COMMUNITY DISPUTE.

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The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has met with managment of Total E &P Nigeria Ltd over the lingering issues of none-remittances of revenue to the state by the multinational oil firm, and total neglect of the oil-bearing communities in Ukwa West LGA of the state, where the company is currently engaged in an oil exploration activities.

The meeting followed complaints by the state and the oil rich communities of Owaza and Asa in Ukwa West LGA of the state which prompted a recent tour of oil facilities in the area by Governor Ikpeazu, with a promise to resolve the lingering issues with Total E&P Nigeria Ltd.

At the meeting between the government and management of the oil firm yesterday, the Total delegation led by the Deputy Managing Director, Total E&P, Nig Ltd, Mr Francois Le-Cock commended the Governor for initiating the meeting, stressing need for dialogue between the company, the government and the oil-bearing communities.

"We commend the Governor for visiting our stations in Owaza, and also for calling us to this meeting for Community engagement. I appeal to the community not to prevent or stop us from working in the community." Le-Cock said.

Stressing the need for peaceful coexistence of the state, community and the oil company, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the traditional rulers and people of Ukwa West LGA, especially the youths for the mature way they have conducted themselves in a peaceful dialogue instead of engaging in destruction of oil facilities in their communities despite the obvious neglect by the oil firms.

He said: "I must commend the oil communities in Abia for choosing the path of peace and dialogue instead of engaging in militancy and destruction of oil installations in the area to show their displeasure over the neglect and destruction of their communities and environment by the oil companies operating in their communities.

"The misunderstanding between Total and Oil bearing communities was due to lack of clear cut communication between the oil company and the communities that have been shortchanged by the oil companies since there is nothing to show in terms of human capital development, infrastructure and job opportunities.

"The Oil bearing communities are worried that they do not know what their rights are as they are not aware of of what the environmental impact assessment specifies, even as they are not carried along in the company's policies.

"As a state, we are not happy that you're operating in our state and yet you don't tax to us. You don't employ our people. It's now time for the Total and other companies operating in the state should establish a community Relations officer in communities and state to make for greater symbiosis between the company, the locals and the state." The Governor said.

Speaking on behalf of the Oil-bearing community, the former Abia Commissioner in the board of NDDC and ASOPADEC chairman, Chief Sam Nwogu, thanked the Governor for his initiative and expressed the readiness of the Oil community to provide Total with the enabling environment to continue to carry out its operations.

hmmm.. okay then

THey carved all igbo communities bearing oil and merged it with Rivers and handed it to the Ijaws but the Imo river could not allow them take Owaza and Asa, after stealing Oyigbo

Abians should make all the money from their oil.

lalasticlala and Mynd44 we cannot continue to fold our hands and let these oil companies take us to cleaners. They're are now begging the governor for forgiveness,yes we have forgiven them but they must pay Abia state all the money taxes and levies from 1958 tilll date. That's our stance

Another 'oil' state.

Ponponkon:
lalasticlala and Mynd44 we cannot continue to fold our hands and let these oil companies take us to cleaners. They're are now begging the governor for forgiveness,yes we have forgiven them but they must pay Abia state all the money taxes and levies from 1958 tilll date. That's our stance

hello sir i saw a bill board at bata junction abt reg. of Agric i'm intrested, hw do i apply?

Bolustic:

Here we go again with the usual victim card playing,

How did Rivers become Ijaw?

Thought you guys always claim Rivers is 80% Igbo(when it comes to Biafra)?

So, if they are 80% Igbo, why the complaints?

Are they not your brothers?

Oga, it's too early to wail.

Try to comment on what you know. What do you know about Rivers State? How many tribes are there in the state? Stop being in a hurry to involve yourself in Igbo issues.

Great!