Posted by The Port Harcourt Telegraph on
Okrika Local Government Area has been described as the centre piece for oil and social politics in the Niger Delta region.
Okrika Local Government Area has been described as the centre piece for oil and social politics in the Niger Delta region.
The Chairman of the Local Govt. Council, Prince Ibibia Walter made the assertion when he received representatives of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Okrika.
Prince Walter told them that as multi- nationals, they should always look for ways of partnering with the local government area in providing sustainable programmes.
This, the Walga Chairman said, will ensure a peaceful working environment between them and their host communities.
He called on Shell to partner with the Okrika council in its youth empowerment projects especially the Mobil Phone Support Scheme and the revolving loan scheme to women for
petty trading.
Prince Walter commended Shell for the visit which he described as timely and called for an upward review of the Tournament Rate paid to the local government council.
In his speech, the leader of the delegation and head of government Relations East, Mr. Theo Wellington said they were in Okrika to seek continuous ways of partnership with the local government.
Mr. Wellington noted that the visit was also to register their loyalty with those in authority at the grassroot level.
He praised Prince Walter for his efforts that have brought lasting peace to Okrika and his developmental strides.
While assuring the Okrika boss of continued company's presence in the area, the Shell
representative also solicited the support of the chairman in their upcoming projects.
In another development, companies operating in Okrika local government area has been urged to follow their environmental regulations seriously to avoid incessant environmental hazards and pollution.
Chairman of Okrika local government council, Prince Ibibia Walter who spoke through his Supervisor for Works and Transport. Hon. Bapakaye Minaseidiema at the site of an explosion caused by one of NLNG's pipeline at Kala- Akama in Okrika local government area lamented the incident which he described as nonchalant attitude on the part of the company.
Hon. Bapakaye maintained that the explosion has caused untold hardship to the people leaving in the area, which also inflicted severe burnt on an innocent victim.
He, however, called on the NLNG authorities to come to the rescue of the victims as their means of livelihood has been destroyed and urged them to avoid subsequent occurrence.