By Haris Okon.
The Obolo Youth Coalition Worldwide, representing Akwa Ibom youths, has called on indigenous oil firm, Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL), to comply with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) guidelines in its relationship with host communities in Effiat/Mbo, Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the youth body alleged that the oil firm has allegedly refused to comply with the guidelines, saying that the neglect has caused untold hardship to the people of the area.
President General of Obolo Youth Coalition worldwide, Emmanuel Essang, who addressed the journalists, appreciated the company for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the area.
However, he emphasized the need for Oriental Energy to reserve unskilled job roles for indigenes of the host communities.
The group made specific demands, including:
– Reserving Job Roles: At least 50% of semi-skilled job roles and 10% of skilled roles should be exclusively reserved for indigenes of the host communities.
– Skill Development: If the host community lacks qualified personnel, the 10% skilled role allocation should be converted to relevant skill-training programs.
– Compliance with NCDMB Guidelines: Oriental Energy should comply with the agreement reached in 2023 and 2024, and adhere to NCDMB guidelines.
Essang recalled that the company and youths of the host communities entered into an agreement in 2023 and 2024 at the NCDMB’s office at Eket in the state, where the firm allegedly agreed to engage the operations and supply chain department with a view to utilising any available opportunities in the regard.
However, the company has allegedly failed to comply with this agreement, causing undue hardship for the youths in the area.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to order Oriental Energy to comply with the agreement and NCDMB guidelines without delay. They also demanded that the company’s vendors meet with the host communities within 21 days to strengthen modalities and meet community demands.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency order Oriental Energy to abide and comply with the agreement reached in 2023/2024 and the guidelines of the NCDMB without further delay”.
“Oriental Energy should compel their vendors to have an immediate meeting with the host communities in compliance to the NOGICD Act.
“We give the company a 21-day ultimatum from today to have an immediate interface with the host communities to strengthen out modalities to meet up the demands of the host communities”.
The group warned that failure to comply with their demands within the 21 days, will result in the youths occupying all the facilities belonging to the company thereby disrupting its operations as long as it lasts
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