We’ll Not Take Youths Restiveness Kindly With Oil Bearing Communities – Akwa Ibom CP Azare Warns Youths
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Mr. Baba Mohammed Azare on Monday read riot act to Akwa Ibom youths, warning them against taking laws into their hands by blocking roads in oil bearing communities whenever there is dispute.
The CP stated announced this at a separate meetings with youths presidents and Secretaries across the 31 local government areas of the state, and representatives of oil multinationals in his office in Uyo, the state capital.
Mr. Azare, who attributed the misunderstandings between the host communities and oil companies to a breakdown of communication explained that, there could not be any meaningful development without peace.
He called on the youth leaders to work hand in hand with the police to resolve all disputes stressing that, the Command would not take it kindly with any group of people who disturb the peace of the State.
According to him, “No one should block the free flow of operations of oil companies in Akwa Ibom State.
“Without development we cannot grow the economy. If you have any problem inform us immediately, so that we have a common ground to resolve the issues amicable.
“The factory sited in your community is for empowerment and development of the community and state, and urged the youths to exhaust all avenues for dialogue and not resorting to violence.
“We are ready to partner with you,
going forward we expect that peace reign in all your communities,” he said.
Also, meeting with oil company representatives was later held and the Commissioner used the occasion to dialogue with all of them for peace to reign in host communities.
He said, the meeting was expedient with both parties to ensure an enabling environment for oil companies to operate.
Responding, Justin Obo, the Security Manager at Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited blamed the community leaders for not involving the youths in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), as contained under the new law, which directs oil firms to spend 3 percent of their operation cost on the the communities they operate.
He advised the youths to be conversant with the Act which has taken much of the burden of Corporate Social Responsibility from the oil companies, adding that, the youths have not been sufficiently informed about the provisions of the PIA by the community leaders.
Mr. Obo thanked the Police Commissioner for the meeting and assured that, henceforth the oil companies would initiate a veritable
communication avenues to resolve all communal issues in their operational base.
