The Omoku Development Council (ODC) has issued a strong warning to Oando Plc. over what it described as the continued neglect of host communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The Council expressed concern that despite the abundance of natural resources in the area and the presence of multinational oil companies, residents have little to show in terms of development and basic amenities.
It noted that such conditions could heighten tensions if left unaddressed.
In a statement released on behalf of the Omoku communities, the Council called on Oando to urgently reconsider its approach to community relations and fulfil its obligations.
It warned that failure to act could result in coordinated protests across the company’s operational locations within the LGA, as well as in Abuja and even internationally.
The Council outlined several demands, including: immediate re-engagement of contractors responsible for electricity maintenance in Omoku; full payment of the statutory 3% Host Community Development Trust funds for 2022 and 2023, as well as prompt payment for 2024 and 2025, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Others are: reinstatement of disengaged workers and allocation of employment quotas to host communities; an end to gas flaring, or alternatively, the construction of a specialist hospital and payment of compensation to affected communities; and removal of exposed, corroded, and leaking pipelines posing environmental and safety risks.
They also outlined return of the Omoku market to the host communities to help alleviate economic hardship, and immediate commencement of environmental clean-up efforts to address pollution in the area.
In the statement, signed by the Chairman of the Omoku Development Council, Dr. Ojobah Christian, the Council emphasized that addressing these issues is critical to fostering sustainable development and maintaining peace between the company and its host communities.
- Okon is the Information and Public Relations Officer, ONELGA.