Ondo constitutes oil firms, communities relations panel
MAY 22, 2013
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State
Ondo State Government on Tuesday, inaugurated the Ilaje (Ugbo) Coastal Communities Development Committee as a platform to enhance a robust relationship between oil prospecting companies, which are operating in Ugboland and their host communities.
The Director of Finance and Administration of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Mr. Sola Orisamolua, inaugurated the body on behalf of Governor Olusegun Mimiko at Ugbonla town.
The occasion had in attendance, some traditional rulers in Ilaje led by the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan; the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Ilaje Local Government, Mr. Banji Okunomo; and some representatives of oil firms in the area.
The OSOPADEC boss, while inaugurating the 15-member body, urged them to sustain the current peace in the area so that oil firms, who are carrying out their responsibilities without any form of threat, intimidation and harassment, would be happy to implement projects that would be of immense benefit to the people.
Oba Akinruntan noted that members of the committee were selected from their various oil and community associations because they were found to be men of proven integrity.
He, however, said none of them was indispensable as there were scores of other capable and highly respectable individuals who could be called upon to replace any member of the committee that was found wanting.
He said, “Your major task is to ensure that you give account of stewardship and ensure proper accountability. I am not ready to share your money with you. My interest is the welfare of all my people and to make sure that they are not cheated in any form.
“Therefore, avoid any form of litigation because it slows down progress. Let us all join hands together to move Ugboland forward.”
In his speech, Okunomo, the council chairman, congratulated the Olugbo for ensuring the successful inauguration of the committee which he added, “will henceforth be the central negotiating body for indigenes of the oil producing Ugboland.”
Chairman of the committee, Oba Femi Ogbaro, pledged on behalf of other members of the committee, to place the interest of their people higher than any form of personal interest during any form of negotiations with the oil firms.
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