Oil firms, community dialogue on alleged neglect

Some oil firms inAkwa Ibom Statehave initiated talks with women in their host communities over alleged neglect by the companies.The talks followed a seven-day ultimatum given to the firms by women in Esit Eket Local Government Area of the state to open dialogue and begin development of the area or face the consequences.The Secretary of the Women Group, Mrs Grace Akpata, told newsmen in Esit Eket, that they held meeting with the firms on the need to meet their social obligations to the host communities.Akpata said that the companies were Septa Energy, Frontier Oil Ltd, ALCON and Uquo Marginal Field Development Board.She noted that the ultimatum became necessary because of the neglect of the companies operating on their farmlands.``We, the women gave up our farmlands to pave way for the gas plant here and with the understanding that the plant will develop our community, provide jobs and give scholarships to our children.``But we discovered that the firms were not willing to meet these needs of our people and that is why, as stakeholders, we are insisting that they must not continue to neglect us.``She explained that they had organised a peaceful demonstration to press their demands, adding that the action prompted the companies to hold preliminary meeting with the women.Akpata said that the women at the meeting insisted that the oil firms should provide amenities and embark on other development projects in the communities.The External Affairs Manager of Septa Energy, Mrs Ayebatonye Basuo, confirmed the meeting with the women.Basuo said that all the firms had resolved to address the bottlenecks to have cordial relation with the communities.oil firm to prospect for oil but the firm did not find crude in commercial quantities in the area.The development prompted the company to enter into a partnership with Septa Energy, for the harnessing of gas reserves found in the field.
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