By Onome Oghenetega
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State says his administration is working hard to ensure that the state become the economic hub of the country by providing the enabling environment for investors to operate.
The governor spoke on Friday while inaugurating ‘legacy projects’ executed by Platform Petroleum Limited/Newcross Petroleum Limited (JV) operators of the Egbaoma Marginal Field at Umutu in the Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emman Amgbaduba, he stressed that there is need for oil firms and their host communities in the Niger Delta region to live peacefully.
He noted that it is only through peace and dialogue that development could come.
Okowa stated that the state government was totally committed to providing peaceful environment for all investors to operate their businesses in the state seamlessly.
He added that his administration is doing everything humanly possible to make the state an enviable investment destination in the country.
The governor, while commending Platform/Newcross Petroleum (JV) for the legacy projects, he thanked the host communities for the peaceful relations that exist between the management of the company and the people of the state area.
“Let me on behalf of our Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa thank Platform/Newcross Petroleum (JV) for these laudable projects.
“Our Governor is always proud and joyful to see projects like this executed by Oil companies for their host communities and it is pertinent to state that such projects can only be achieved through understanding, dialogue and peaceful relations which are the outcome of the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
“As a state, we are totally committed to promoting a peaceful environment for investors by preaching peace and adherence to the Global Memorandum of Understanding GMoUs by stakeholders.
“I therefore challenge other oil companies and host communties to borrow a leaf from the peaceful relations between Platform/Newcross and their host communities in Egbaoma Marginal Field.
“I wish to remind Platform/Newcross Petroleum Joint Venture and other companies operating in Delta that our communities need more of these development strides to make the contributions of investors visible and beneficial to indigenes of our communities.
“Let me state emphatically that such developmental projects and more can only be achieved in an environment where peace thrive, adding, “I encourage our host communities to continue to make their environments more peaceful and friendly to motivate investors and the state government to do more,” he stated.
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In his address, Managing Director of Platform Petroleum Limited, Engr. Osa Oweiadolor said the company had continued to demonstrate commitment to corporate social responsibility through consistent execution of various value-adding schemes to better the lot of key stakeholders.
“In the last 15 years, we have completed road projects, water schemes, community halls, pedestrian bridge, and school buildings among others spread within the host communities.
“We have done this in recognition of the vital role of human capital as the bedrock of strategic sustainable development of any society and this informed our award of scholarship and skill acquisition for the benefits of hundreds of indigenes from the four host communities.
“It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that Platform/Newcross Joint Venture is truly built on best practices and social responsibility,” he said
The projects commissioned by the governor included a steel bridge across River Ethiope at Adonishaka, a block of 10 flats at Ogbeuzu-Uno community, ICT building at Akoku-Uno, Okpala-Uku Palace at Umueziogoli and a block 6 classrooms at Igili Grammar School Umutu.
