By Admin.
The Cross River State Government in other to avert an impending crisis between OANDO PLC and host Communities in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area has stepped in as a mediator in the case of over 30 abandoned micro-projects under the company’s gas pipeline corporate social responsibility (CSR) intervention programme.
OANDO PLC had agreed with the Communities to provide these micro-projects ranging from Markets, Motor Parks, Schools, Boreholes, Medical Centre, Solar Lights installation, and Events Centre as compensation for the stretched gas pipeline that runs through the Creek Town Communities to Lafarge Africa.
Governor Bassey Otu’s Special Adviser on Local Content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb Ekpenyong, reacting to a petition before the EFCC by Waltz Environmental Solutions Limited acting on behalf of the host Communities, called on OANDO Oil and Gas Servicing Company to as a matter of urgent social importance investigate the matter to make sure that they proffer solution by releasing funds for the completion of the abandoned micro-projects for the overall interest of all stakeholders and development.
According to Amb. Ekpenyong, projects such as this are very important and key social intervention programme that drives development to rural Communities, especially Creek Town, “with a deep past in the present, the history, mythology, and sociology of human relations,” adding that anything that concerns Creek Town should have a multiplier effect.
He commended the host Communities and WALTZ Environmental Solution Limited for towing the constitutional part to resolve the impasse.
“His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu welcomes dialogue, negotiations, and consultations rather than confrontations”.
Government he said, “will do all within its powers to ensure that the projects which were conceived through community needs assessment are implemented to give the benefiting communities a new lease of life”.
The Special Adviser made the position of the government known when he undertook an inspection of the project site, following an invitation, as he expressed sympathy with the Communities describing the projects as people-centred and in line with the rural intervention programme of the government.
Speaking earlier, the community relations officer, Mr. Ene Itam Eyo, expressed delight over the State government’s intervention through the office of the Special Adviser on Local Content, he said OANDO reneged in its obligation to the Creek Town Communities through their agent, which resulted in the abandonment of the projects.
On his part, the CEO of WALTZ Environmental Solution, Mr. Samuel Ekong said Waltz represents the interest of the Creek Town host Communities, as the Company had conducted the environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the OANDO gas pipeline programme on the host Communities and arrived at the projects.
According to Mr. Ekong, the Contractors were mobilised to the site but efforts to cause OANDO to release funds for the project met with stiff resistance.
He alleged that the investigation revealed that OANDO paid out the project sum but not to the account of WALTZ, adding that lack of transparency in the handling of funds meant for the project by OANDO has necessitated the petitioning of OANDO to the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Clan Head, Rear Admiral Itam Okpo (RTD) could not be reached, but the Village Head of Ikot Efa Otung Eyo Ema, Chief Asuquo Ene Itam said the projects were conceived following due process but wondered why the Contractors had to pull out of site.
The OANDO micro-project programme extends beyond Odukpani to communities in Calabar Municipality and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas.
