OLEH/Nigeria: A nongovernmental organization (NGO), Eziodu Initiative for Sustainable Development, has called on the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, to urgently extend its electricity scheme to Irri, Oleh and Idheze communities in Isokoland.
The NGO in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Agip Nigeria Company Limited and copied several key stakeholders, including President Muhamadu Buhari, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Minister of Environment; said the call is aimed at promoting peace, economic sustainability and mutual partnership in the area.
According to the NGO, Agip Oil Company Nigeria Limited, has not considered Oleh, Irri and Idheze, which are high oil and gas producing communities where you are operating for more than 15 years, for such social intervention and described the neglect as unjust, unhealthy and contributing to poverty and restiveness in the communities.
The NGO called for full and transparent implementation of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports of AGIP operations since inception to date and provide electricity from its flow-station to the Isoko communities the same way it had done in other of its host communities across the Niger Delta region.
The case of Oleh, Irri and Idheze communities, the NGO stated, needed urgent redress towards enthroning peace and security for sustainable development as enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs7, 8, 11, 16 and 17) which Nigeria is a signatory to.
The letter endorsed by the Executive Director of the NGO, Okezi Odugala, reads in part: “The feeling of neglect and unfair treatment is in the air and this is not good for sustenance of mutual relations and license to operate (LTO) needed for smooth running of your business that is contributing positively to national development. It is our interest to work for a harmonious working relationship between your company and host communities in Isokoland and other parts of the region.
“We are aware that as part of your robust corporate social responsibility you do extend almost near constant electricity to your host communities where you carry out your business operations from your flow-stations thereby contributing greatly to communal livability and socio-economic empowerment which is highly commendable. Communities to name but a few such as Omoku,Obrikom,Okwuizi, Agah, Egbema, Ebocha, Ndoni, Agwe-Obodo, Ase-Azaga in River State; Brass and the ongoing electrification project from Idu flow-station to Biseni in Bayelsa State; Beneku, Okpai and Aboh in Delta State are enjoying constant electricity from your flow-station facilities for years now whereas Oleh, Irri and Idheze which are high oil and gas producing communities where you are operating for more than 15 years are not consider for such social intervention which is unjust, unhealthy and contributing to poverty and restiveness in these communities.
“We state unequivocally that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Providing energy to the named communities will boost economic activities, empower and engage the youth positively and will improve the image of your company positively and we will be glad to see this happen soon.
“We like to bring to your notice that the indigenes and inhabitants of the above-named communities from our independent assessment are not happy that your company has not implemented fully and transparently the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports of your operations since inception till date and provided electricity from your flow-station to their communities as you have done in other host communities across the Niger Delta region.
“We use this medium to request a formal meeting with your company, government, host communities and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the aforementioned issue and take urgent steps towards promoting peace and security in Isokoland as you implement your projects and programmes for sustainable development of our environment.
“We are not interested in antagonism and needless frosty relationship between stakeholders that promote under-development; we engage in mutual partnership that proffer innovative solutions to societal problems and believe strongly that you will attend to our request timely and positively, please.”
