Against the backdrop of daunting challenges which the oil and gas
industry in the country is facing and the desire by the leadership of
the nation at all levels to improve the living conditions of the
people, especially those from the oil producing areas of the
Niger-Delta, it has been observed that one major cause of the
frictions witnessed in the industry over the years is the inability of
the multinational oil companies to attach the same level of commitment
to securing oil and gas pipe lines and infrastructure as they should
provide the needed welfare of those in the oil producing areas.
According to a traditional ruler in Bayelsa state, HRM King Bubaraye
Dakolo. The Agada the fourth of Ekpetiama kingdom Yenagoa LGA, a
change in the attitude of International Oil companies towards
communities and youths in oil producing areas, would go a long way
insuring the safety of pipelines and other infrastructure owned by
these companies.
The Royal Father made this observation during a chat with journalists
in his palace at Gbarantoru. In Yenagoa Local Government Area of B/S.
Stating that his emergence as King is a plus for the oil
companies-particularly Shell-in his domain, the newly elected King of
Ekpetiama Kingdom remarked that for as long as he reigns, youths in
his domain shall be well secured economically and socially, so that
they would not entertain the need to go out and break pipelines in his
kingdom. One way of seeing to the improvement of the socio-economic
standing of the people particularly youths, according to the Royal
Father”… is to harness whatever talents they have and ensure that such
are engaged for maximum utility so that they can live on it feed from
it and prosper themselves. And contribute the economy growth of the
state.
The Royal Father noted that we are aware that economic prosperity at
whatever level is predicated on an atmosphere of peace, the widely
travelled Monarch-whose intimidating profile cuts across several
disciplines, professions and vocations-pledged to embark on a regime
of dialogue to settle outstanding issued or any other that may arise
between his kingdom and others on one hand and oil companies (Shell)
on the other.
Recalling how he eventually won the keenly contested race for the
Traditional Ruler-ship of Ekpetiama kingdom which for over half a
decade had been under the Acting Leadership of H.R.H. Christopher
Otobotekere, the young Monarch maintained that the people desire for a
leader with a “clear vision for development of the land and its
citizens” saw to his emerging victorious.
Having come this far, he urged his co-contestants among whom is a
close cousin to join hands with him-both with ideas and every other
thing that they can offer to ensure that peace and obedience to law
and order that can lead to the socio-economic development of the
people of Ekpetiama kingdom in particular, Bayelsa State and Nigeria
in general.
BY PHILIP EKE, YENAGOA
