Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo has advised on the need for oil companies and their host communities to agree on the establishment of social and infrastructural facilities in the interest of the people.
According to him, establishing facilities such as good roads, standard hospitals and health centres, electricity as well as training will prepare Nigerians and the host communities to take over the management of such companies.
Uzodimma made the call on Tuesday while receiving the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum and Industry Bill (PIB) led by Senator Bassey Akpan at the Government House in Owerri.
This was contained in a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Oguwike Nwachukwu. The statement said that the governor urged operators of Nigeria Oil and Gas to desist from making different laws and regulations for Nigeria alone.
According to the governor, what is obtainable in Nigeria by all standards should not be different from what is in other climes. He also decried the fact that the 45- year- old Petroleum Industry Act is still without amendment in Nigeria when the country, host communities and economy have undergone several changes.
He insisted that the communities, government and oil operators need to look at the modus operandi obtainable in Europe, America and Asia and create a value chain that will allow for patriotic partnership.
Farmers appeal to FAO, Govt, for aid to implement alternative feedstock Some farmers in rural communities of Benue have appealed to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and its implementing partners to support them with needed finances to implement the alternative feedstock programme.
They made the call o in Makurdi at a four-week training on the alternative food/livestock and commercial opportunities for some farmers from Makurdi, Guma, Kwande and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs).
A consultant of CSCED, Idris Gabdo said the four LGA’s were selected because of their high volatility to farmers/ herder clashes.
Organised by FAO in collaboration with Center for Social Change and Economic Development (CSCED) as its implementing partner.the programme, an initiative of the UN Human Rights Commission(UNHRC) and the UN Women is aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between herders and rural farmers.
A cross-section of the rural farmers at the training that began on Feb.1 and expected to end March 5, said they needed financial support to implement the training.
