By Francis Sadhere
Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, Hon. Julius Pondi has blamed oil multinational companies for the lack of development in the Niger Delta region, saying they (oil companies) have continued to distance themselves from the oil bearing communities.
The Federal lawmaker said this during the weekend at a one day seminar organized by the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) held at Wellington Hotel, Effurun, Delta State.
Speaking after the lecturer with the topic, “Communication Strategies for Building Better Relationship Between Communities and Corporations in Nigeria” delivered by Dr. Victor Ayedun-Aluma, Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Jos, Hon. Pondi reiterated that the gap between the oil companies and their host communities is too wide.
He said “If you go to Ogulaha at Escravos, in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, you will notice a big contrast between the life style of the oil companies and their immediate environment. The oil companies have twenty-four hours power supply while It’s surrounding communities are living in darkness and abject poverty. So how do you expect the oil bearing communities to feel when they see this kind of disparity going on in their lands. The oil companies have long neglected the people that owns the oil. This is one of the reasons why militancy sprang up in the Niger Delta region.”
Hon. Pondi noted that unless the oil companies started living up to It’s social corporate responsibilities toward their host communities, no matter how long they dialogue, nothing Good will come out of it.
He added that most oil corporations do not listen to their host communities when they embark on peaceful protest, lamenting that the only language the oil companies understand was violent protest.
The House of Representatives member however, assured that the house is going to ensure that it comes out with legislative measures to solve the problems of the Niger Delta region.
Also Speaking at the seminar, the Special Assistance to the Delta State Governor on Communities and Youths Affairs, Barrister Eric Omare, lamented that oil corporations do not regard their host communities as stakeholders in the oil industries because of the Nigerian law that said oil belongs to the Federal government.
Barr. Omare noted that unless that law is repealed and communities are recognized as the soul owners of their resources, the oil companies will continue to look down on their host communities.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce Ogbechi advised oil corporations in the region to be proactive by ensuring constant communication with their host communities.
She said it was only through meaningful communication with their host communities that oil companies in the Niger region can avoid clashes with oil bearing communities.
Dr. Ogbechi said there must be new strategies for a robust relationship between the corporation and the communities which could only be achieved by seeing themselves in new light.
She noted many companies are now aware that they had started on a wrong foot and have changed their communication strategy through the signing of GMoUs, which “shows that they are doing something about how to relates to their host communities.”
