Communities charge FG, NNPC to assist oil films to avoid protests

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

An association of oil producing communities in Ilaje local government area of Ondo state has call on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the federal government to show more commitment to the plight of oils companies in order to discharge their responsibilities to their host communities. The communities told journalists that Oil companies in their domain are face with constraints ranging from low production figure, cost increase due to inflation, insecurity, levies and taxies, and unilateral budgets cut by NNPC. They affirmed the refusal to honour cash call on agreed communities has led inability to fund major capital projects, downsizing of workforce and inability to pay for service and supplies by the firm operating in the local govt area.

Chairman of Actual Oil block Indigenous Concessional Eight United Communities Core Oil block Ultimate Major (AICECUM), Engineer Adekunle Alli who spoke on behalf of the communities said the Federal Government must urgently attend to the challenges to allow the oil firms remain in business else they will automatically be tempted to reduce their corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to the

communities. Alli, who double as the President of Community Oil Associations in Oil

rich Ugboland in Ilaje LGA said any attempt by companies to do so will be vehemently resisted and invariably trigger off protests and crisis. “We appeal strongly to Federal Government to intervene by giving these Oil Companies the necessary assistances required to remain in business

and to avoid any impending crisis considering the volatile nature of the Oil Producing Communities and huge sacrifice made before attaining this level of stability and peace in the region.” He said.

Engineer Alli said the level of degradation and underdevelopment in the host Communities still remain perturbed and unabated, a situation that requires concerted efforts by the Oil Companies and Government at various levels to show more commitment.