International Oil Companies operating in Delta state are to be made to live up to their Corporate Social Responsibility to host communities.
The Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, Honourable Pullah Ekpotuareyin, who stated this at the inaugural sitting of the committee in Asaba, said most of the companies were lacking in that regard.
Honourable Ekpotuareyin, representing Burutu One Constituency in the House, said the Committee was irrevocably committed to ensuring a conducive environment for the oil companies to operate.
The Committee chairman, who was joined by Honourable Fred Martins, Ferguson Onwo and Felix Anirah, identified breach of Global Memoranda of Understanding as a major cause of crisis between oil companies and their host communities.
Honourable Ekpotuareyin stressed that both parties must learn to respect agreements reached and must be committed to promoting peace and development at all times.
He commended the efforts of the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, at ensuring peace and security across the state and promised to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace and development in oil producing communities across the state.
The legislator said the Committee would focus properly on its oversight functions to enhance productivity in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies under its supervision.
Honourable Ekpotuareyin disclosed that environmental sanitation, waste management, oil pollution, climate change, effluent discharge, among others would receive the attention of the Committee and appealed to members to put in their best to ensure success.
Also speaking, Honourables Ferguson Onwo and Felix Anirah stressed the need for effective collaboration between the Committee and the relevant stakeholders towards achieving greater peace and development in the state.
ASAGBASHIP THRONE OF ASABA: Who The Cap Fits