The Host Communities (HOSTCOM) of International Oil Companies (IOCs) Producing Oil and Gas In Bayelsa has pleaded with the Senator Douye Diri-led Government to create a rural community intervention agency known as Bayelsa State Oil Producing Development Commission (BASOPADEC) which exists in other oil-producing states.
Speaking on Friday in Yenagoa during a courtesy call on Barrister Peter Afagha, Commissioner of Ministry of Mineral Resources, the National Chairman of HOSTCOM, Dr. Benjamin Tamaranebi, who spoke on behalf of the group added that with the establishment of BASOPADEC in the state, most of the teething problems facing host communities will be minimized.
Asking for a robust collaboration between HOSTCOM and the ministry, the national chairman used the opportunity of the visit to draw the attention of the commissioner to challenges resulting from the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, where host communities have been granted 3% annual operating cost by law.
HOSTCOM also asked that the host communities be allowed to participate in surveillance contracts adding that it will make them secure the oil facilities well.
He said: “We are calling on Governor Douge Diri to create BASOPADEC. This commission is in other oil-producing states. It is the governor that will choose the chairman of the commission and put commissioners.
The commission will do projects in the name of the governor. I want to solicit that you help us push so that this commission will be established.
“I want to use this medium to quickly point out that government should call for stakeholders meeting of all HCDTS in the state, all settlors operating in the state, the leadership of HOSTCOM and traditional rulers or better still, TROMPCON leadership alongside NUPRC and NMDPRA for collaboration.
“This will build strong relationships between the government, host communities, HCDT, and settlors where communities will be watchdog and report any illicit, criminal act, oil bunkering, kidnapping, and any anti-social vices to security agents and protect our environment from pollution.
“Host Communities has been dragged into crude oil theft and pipeline vandalisation. They came up with section 257 sub-section 2 to take away the 3% but to God be the glory, we have been vindicated by recent discovery that is ongoing.
“The said crime is an organised one by three actors comprising of the operators, those in authority, and the security operatives. They are the collaborators in siphoning our common wealth desecrating our environment accusing our communities and planning to rub host communities off their meagre 3% annual OPEX.
“Let our communities be allowed to be partakers in the surveillance job directly and also clearing of right of way as sign of inclusiveness due to Section 257 sub-section 2.”
HOSTCOM also asked that the money received from Gas flaring penalties be used for the purpose of environmental remediation and relief of the host community of the settlor on which the penalty is levied.
Also lending their voices, Major Andrew Oputa and Dr Sele Duke all members of HOSTCOM collaborating on what their national chairman said about establishing BASOPADEC, asked that the Prosperity Government should see it as a matter of urgency adding that it will help a lot in ameliorating the sufferings of the host communities.
Reacting to the demands, Barrister Peter Afagha, the honourable Commissioner of Mineral Resources said that the ministry was ready to collaborate with HOSTCOM.
He assured that he will take the message of demands for the establishment of BASOPADEC and call for stakeholders meeting to the governor maintaining that the outcome of the message will be communicated to the body.
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