BE PATIENT WITH MULTINATIONALS - AYAH TELLS INDIGENES

Oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region have been urged to be patient with multinational companies operating in their domains as government is working round the clock to address challenges confronting them.

Mr. Felix Bonny Ayah, Special Adviser to the governor on Oil & Gas, stated this while exchanging views with newsmen shortly after arriving for departure at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, en-route to Abuja.

He said, the need for host communities to be patient with multinationals in the state became imperative, owing to the fact that, most oil producing communities take laws into their hands by shutting down company operations illegally as a ploy of pressing home their demands.

According to the Oil & Gas Special Adviser, since there is no law backing oil producing communities from taking such illegal actions, government will take appropriate punitive measures against any community found culpable of complicity as a deterrent to others.

Mr. Bonny Ayah, called on aggrieved community to without further delay forward any complaints to his office for prompt attention, stressing that, government is more committed and proactive towards addressing the yearning and aspirations of the people for development to thrive.

He used, the medium to thank the Ibedaowei of Opokuma Kingdom, King Okpoitari Diongoli and the Opokuma Cluster Board for their show of understanding during the settlements of their differences with Daewoo Nigeria Limited and Mopol, saying that, government will continue to work with them to move the state forward.

The S.A, further called on other aggrieved oil producing communities to emulate the Opokuma Cluster Board for their peaceful dispositions during the settlements in order to attract development closer to their domains.