CP Warns Youths Against Violence In Oil-Bearing Communities

February 03, (THEWILL) The Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has warned that the Command will not take it kindly with youths or any group of people trying to disturb the peace and order in oil-bearing communities in the state.

He urged youth leaders to work hand in hand with the police to resolve all disputes arising from misunderstandings between oil companies and the host communities.

Azare, who stated this during a meeting with youth presidents and secretaries across the 31 local government areas of the state in his office in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday, warned youths against taking laws into their hands by blocking roads in oil companies whenever there is a dispute.

The commissioner attributed the misunderstanding between the host communities and oil companies to a breakdown of communication and explained that there could not be any development without peace.

“No one should block the free flow of operations of these companies.

*Without development we cannot grow the economy, if you have any problem inform us immediately so that we have a common ground to resolve issues amicable

“The factory sited in your community is for empowerment and development of the community and state

He urged the youths to exhaust all avenues for dialogue and not to resort to violence

“We are ready to partner with you, going forward we expect that peace will reign in all your communities.”

Meeting with oil company representatives later, the commissioner said the dialogue became important to ensure an enabling environment for oil companies to operate.

In his response, Justin Obo, Security Manager at Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, blamed the community leaders for not involving the youths as contained under the Petroleum Industry Act, which directs oil firms to spend 3 percent of their operation cost on the communities.

He advised the youths to be conversant with the Act which has taken much of the burden for Corporate Social Responsibility from the oil companies adding that the youths have not been sufficiently informed about the provisions of the PIA.

He thanked the Police Commissioner for the meeting and assured that going forward, the oil companies would initiate communication avenues to resolve all communal issues.