A closed door meeting was held on Monday 2nd November 2020, with executive members of the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Forum of Warri south west local government area at the Government House Annex, Warri.
Briefing Journalists shortly after the meeting, Barr. Otuaro, said the meeting is in continuation of his peace building mandate with key stakeholders in the oil producing communities and multinational oil companies operating in the state.
He said the meeting is part of government’s routine efforts to review and articulate issues bothering on the host communities.
Otuaro disclosed that they deliberated and resolved to mutually harness the economic potentials abound in the oil operating environment.
The Special Assistant (SA), on Media, Elohor Rita Agbra, said the Deputy Governor noted that Egbema and Gbaramatu communities are hosts to Chevron Nigeria Limited and the meeting afforded them the opportunity to discusss some security concerns in the areas.
Otuaro said “there is no threat to peace and security in the oil operating environment in the state as government has institutionalized measures to resolve conflicts”.
He charged oil producing communities to key into the conflict resolution strategy established by the state government to address grievances.
The Chairman of the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Forum, Mr Jude Ukori described the meeting as apt, commending the state government for its peace keeping efforts.
He appealed to the government to pay more attention to the challenges of the communities as the 2021 budget Appropriation will soon commence.
Mr. Ukori urged the Federal government to give oil producing communities the first right of refusal in the bidding process for marginal fields and implement the ten percent equity shares as captured in the Petroleum Industry Bill for oil and gas producing communities.
The meeting had in attendance the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Petroleum Matters among others.
