Yenagoa—Niger Delta youths have been urged to always use peaceful means to solve misunderstandings between them and oil companies in their localities.
This was stated by Engineer Kesiye Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
He gave the admonition on Tuesday at the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) 2021 Youth Event with the theme: “Building A Strong Synergy With Community Stakeholders” organized by the Board.
According to Wabote, youths should familiarize themselves with legislation such as the Community Content Guideline and the Nigerian Content Oil and Gas Development Act 2010.
He averred that the two documents that could solve oil and gas-related conflicts.
His words: “The Community Content Guideline is an offshoot of the Nigerian Content Oil and Gas Development Act 2010.
“It is a piece of guidelines that will help them synergize with the project promoters and contractors in their host communities alongside NCDMB.
“The CCG is saying that there should not be any form of violence in registering your grievances. If you have any problem, get across to the Board instead of being violent.”
Wabote, who was represented by Mr. Uduak Obot, Zonal Coordinator, Akwa Ibom-Cross River Zonal Office of the NCDMB, stated that the event also aims to expose youths to training opportunities available for them in the oil and gas industry.
“This programme gives youths the opportunity to deliberate with the contractors within their domain.
“It also unveils to the youths training opportunities available for them in the oil and gas industry and what they will need to do to access these opportunities,” he said.
A facilitator and Head of Department, Private and Property Law, Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University (NDU), Dr. Pereowei Subai, spoke on promoting healthy coexistence between community stakeholders and the oil and gas industry.
Subai decried the devastating environmental condition occasioned by oil exploration activities.
He, however, noted that if there are no oil exploration and exploitation activities, some states in Nigeria will be bankrupt.
“Oil companies are to commit 3% of their contractual expenditure to the development of the communities.
“There should be a concerted end to sabotage and vandalisation of petroleum infrastructure. And Niger Deltans should rise up to the challenge of capacity development.”
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, while delivering his address, commended the NCDMB for hosting the programme.
He highlighted some of the programmes his administration has put in place to empower youths in the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Baraladei Igali, the Governor hinted that the recently launched Diri Digital Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program (DDEEP) has the potential to empower thousands of youths in the state.
He mentioned the training of youths at the CSS Global Integrated Farms in Abuja, Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS) as some of the initiatives launched by the state government to empower youths.
“The state government has also sponsored the training of youths recently, on different middle manpower skills in the areas of aquatic farming, poultry, piggery, cosmetology, gele, beads and hat making in conjunction with the federal ministry.
“Plans are also in place to train youths on tailoring, catering and event management, plumbing and mushroom culturing as well as other skills in the oil and gas sector,” he revealed.
Speaking to a Mangrovepen.ng reporter shortly after the programme, Comr. Innocent Ebenezer Okiakpe, Vice President of Southern Ijaw Federated Youth Council, commended the NCDMB for hosting the PNC youth event.
“The programme is a laudable one which has educated many youths on how to approach the IOCs as members of Host Community.
“I commend the Simbi Wabote-led administration of the NCDMB for such an educative programme.”