By Praise Chinecherem
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has warned citizens against patronizing persons or groups parading themselves as coordinators of oil host communities in various states of the country declared as oil states.
Commission Chief Executive, Engr Gbenga Komolafe stated this in Awka, Anambra State during a 2-day Town Hall Meeting on Implementing Host Communities’ Provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act organized by State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
NUPRC disassociated itself from such activities and warned citizens to steer clear of their schemes.
Participants at the meeting organized in partnership with African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development & International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), had reported cases of how they narrowly fell victims of extortion by such groups, which demanded huge sums ranging from N20,000 N250,000 for membership and benefits.
Komolafe, who spoke through the head, Health Safety Environment and Community, Dr. Benjamin Okpa described such groups as fake, and not recognized by the Commission, just as he warned residents to be wary of their antics.
Also speaking, President, IPCRC, Prince Chris Azor reiterated that host communities should be from oil producing community and probably few others within the trajectory.
He warned the fake host community organizations in Abuja or Lagos visiting Anambra to dupe unsuspecting members of the public to desist forthwith or face the consequences for their actions.
He said the State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources had previously sensitized the public about these dubious groups.
He said, “Host communities should be from oil producing community and maybe a few others within that trajectory. It has nothing to do with any organisation or whatever so called, coming from Abuja, or Lagos, claiming they are in charge of host communities.
“NUPRC in their presentation were very clear that the BOT shall be formed through the instrumentality of the investor who are the settlers in consultation with that community where oil is being explored. And they make up the host community, not an imposition from outside.
“Whatever anybody is doing registering organisations in Abuja or Lagos and coming here to bring down the communities is absolutely wrong.
“Part of the reasons we held this workshop was to have clarity on the issues because in this state, we have experienced some organisations. We had to call the NUPRC as regulator for the upstream sector to clear the air on this.
“NUPRC has said those ones are illegal and that the communities have to be vigilant to identify such criminality and make sure it is dealth with.
“The people in Anambra state and other oil producing areas must be very careful and vigilant. So, that is the truth that has come out of this engagement and we are happy about that.
“The ministry of petroleum and mineral resources in Anambra State had in more than one occassions, sensitized the public but these dubious people have a way of permeating the society and try to swindle the gullible ones.
“These people are illegal just as their actions are illegal. What they do is to collect money from people, promising them heaven on earth. To them, every community in Anambra state is host community.
“We urge the media to please create awareness on this, set an agenda and begin to inform our people to be vigilant not to allow people pool wool over their eyes.
“By working together, we can prevent illegal activities and ensure a safer and more transparent process for host community representation.”
Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development, Mr. Monday Osasah said his organization was in the state to educate host communities on the law guiding the Oil and Gas industries following declaration of Anambra as an oil producing State.
Earlier, Commissioner for Environment Engr. Dr. Felix Odimegwu advocated for urgent enviromental concerns in the host communities and the state at large.
He also called for full operation of the state Environment Ministry to take charge in implementing and enforcing Environmental policies and laws as regards such environmental concerns between host communities and oil companies.
“Anambra is now one of the oil- producing state in the country and as expected effluent discharge, degradation, pollution and other environmental issues will be on the rise.
“Companies should pay host communities compensation whenever there is an issue of environmental pollution to achieve a clean, green and sustainable Anambra as envisioned by Prof Chukwuma Soludo,” he added.
Traditional ruler of Ezi-Aguluotu Aguleri, Igwe Lawrence Nwaofia assured relative peace across the host communities as long as there remained absolute inclusiveness.
