“The factory sited in your community is for empowerment and development of the community” _ Akwa Ibom CP cautions youth against disrupting activities of oil companies

Youths in Akwa Ibom State have been cautioned against involving in activities that would portray them as not being law abiding. This charge was given by the state police commissioner CP Baba Mohammed Azare recently in Uyo.

The police boss stated this during a meeting with youths’ presidents and Secretaries across the 31 local government areas of the state in his office in Uyo, the state capital.

He warned them against the blocking of roads of oil companies whenever there is dispute.

The commissioner who attributed the misunderstanding between the host communities and oil companies to a breakdown of communication stressed that, no meaningful development can take place in any environment where there is no peace.

He further charges the youth leaders to work hand in hand with the police to resolve all disputes stressing that, the Command would not take it kindly with any group of people who disturb the peace of the land.

“No one should block the free flow of operations of these companies.

*Without development we cannot grow the economy, if you have any problem inform us immediately, so that we have a common ground to resolve issues amicable.

“The factory sited in your community is for empowerment and development of the community and state.

He urged the youths to exhaust all avenues for dialogue and not to resort to violence

“We are ready to partner with you going forward we expect that peace reign in all your communities, ”

And meeting with oil company representatives later, the commissioner said the dialogue became important to ensure an enabling environment for oil companies to operate.

Responding, Justin Obo, Security Manager at Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited blamed the community leaders for not involving the youths as contained under the Petroleum Industry Act which directs oil firms to spend 3 percent of their operation cost on the communities.

He advised the youths to be conversant with the act which has taken much of the burden for of Corporate Social Responsibility from the oil companies adding that the youths have not been sufficiently informed about the provisions of the PIA.

He thanked the Police Commissioner for the meeting and assured that going forward the oil companies would initiate communication avenues to resolve all communal issues.