The Federal Government has urged Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) for effective synergy with government and relevant stakeholders to curb incessant vandalism of crude oil-bearing pipelines.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), said this when a delegation of the HOSTCOM paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Friday.
He said that such efforts to curb pipeline sabotage would save lives, secure communities and protect the environment.
According to him, without your effort, by working together in oneness oil and gas sector will not grow.
“I am urging the communities, other relevant stakeholders to join hands and support the government in ensuring that we fight against pipeline vandalisation.
“The land and water are being destroyed by the criminals, causing untold hunger and harship in the communities.
“The people that fish can no longer fish, other activities are being affected because of the urgly act.
“We can only fight this act if we work together through strong collaboration between the HOSTCOM, the government and other relevant stakeholders.
“If the oil and gas is secured and protected there will be enough money to provide infrastructure to develop the entire communities,” he said.
The minister also called on the HOSTCOM to resolve conflict between the communities, adding that the efforts would help strengthen community relations.
He said that the HOSTCOM should endeavor to engage relevant stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to ensure peace and stability in the community.
“Where there is peace, understanding and stability, there is the tendency to achieve vision.
“So, i am using this opportunity to urging you all to sustain peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.
“Money cannot flow or be generated in the community where there is no peace and understanding,” he said.
Lokpobiri, however, assured the HOSTCOM of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that their requests were considered amecably.
Earlier, Dr Benjamin Tamaranebi, National President, HOSTCOM said that the aim of the visit was to relate issues affecting the HOSTCOM to the minister and a way forward.
Tamaranebi said that relative peace, security and stability in the communities were effective due to tireless efforts of the HOSTCOM.
He said that the HOSTCOM as a strategic partner was not carried along in the areas of training, scholarship and employment by various parastatals, commissions and agencies under the ministry.
According to him, we should be given preferential treatment on issues relating to the host communities’ benefit.
“HOSTCOM has petroleum engineers and other professionals with outstanding qualifications, experiences and expertise in the oil and gad sector, whose services will help revered your office greatly.
“We therefore wish to use this opportunity to appeal for building of a permanent national secretary for HOSTCOM.
“We also want provision of monthly subvention and provision of 32 seater coaster bus for movement within and outside Abuja, among others,” he said.
The national president commended the cordial relationship between the minister and the HOSTCOM, adding that such has help in dousing tensions and agitations in the communities.
He acknowledged the ministers’ achievements, adding that the effort had increased crude oil production.
“The achievements have also advanced refinery projects, initiated efforts leading to the mechanical completion of the Portharcourt refinery company, among other achievements,” he said.
Tamaranebi urged the Federal Government to prioritise the welfare and developmemt of the HOSTCOM.
” We also re-emphasising on the need to discourage the ongoing environmental genocide in the Niger Delta and we are demanding immediate clean-up and reparation in accordance with international best practices,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng