TheNewsGuru

Tag: Host Communities

  • Delta Presents Position On PIB, Wants Role of Host Communities Prioritised

    Delta Presents Position On PIB, Wants Role of Host Communities Prioritised

     

    The Delta State Government has presented its position on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly where it sorts for legislations that will give more participation to host communities in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

    State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emman Amgbaduba made the presentation at the ongoing public hearing on PIB before the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Upstream and Downstream on Monday in Abuja.

    The government position was contained in a 30-page document which the commissioner presented on behalf of the government.

    Amgbaduba told the committee to ensure there are legislations that encourage host communities’ participation in the industry in the interest of peace and justice.

    He said the current smooth and peaceful operations by oil multinationals in the state is due to the peaceful disposition of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who constantly engage host communities in meaningful dialogue.

    According to him, Delta State Government supports the position of placing oil host communities in charge of protection of pipelines and other facilities domiciled in their communities and be allowed the privilege of having such contracts.

    He remarked that it was unreasonable to bring in outsiders as contractors to protect pipelines that are in the host communities when the people have capacity to provide such protection.

    He averred in a 30-page document emphasised on the need for host communities to be carried along in the PIB for a peaceful oil production process.

    Amgbaduba said the state recognises the need for a conducive atmosphere for both host communities and International Oil Companies operating in the state to get along and open opportunities for employment, increase in production of oil and implementation of corporate social responsibilities to host communities.

    “As a major oil and gas stakeholder in the Niger Delta, we have firsthand experience as to what is required to ensure a smooth co-existence between the host communities and oil companies.

    “We also emphasized that the host communities should be allowed to provide the executive of the various boards

    “We also frown at the practice where pipeline security and protection were given to outsiders whereas the various host communities have capacity to secure the pipelines. It is therefore unreasonable to bring in outsiders to secure pipelines and other facilities when the host communities have the capacity to provide such services locally.

    “We also asked for the issues of tenants, percentage and dispute resolutions as it concerns the oil and gas sector.

    “We have asked the National Assembly to incorporate these suggestions and many more into the PIB Bill and we believe that presentation made by the Delta State Government in the 30-page document if implemented carefully will create the needed conducive atmosphere for free and fair operations of the oil and gas sector,” he stated.

    Responding, Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu, commended Delta for its presentation and recommendations.

    He assured that the Committee will take into consideration the recommendations made by Delta State in the final passage of the bill.

  • TNGCIJ Investigation: Why Mineral Exploiters Still at Loggerheads with Host Communities, Despite Consensual-based CDAs

    TNGCIJ Investigation: Why Mineral Exploiters Still at Loggerheads with Host Communities, Despite Consensual-based CDAs

     

    By Emmanuel Bagudu

    …faceless people not representing communities, agitating and causing confusion, says First Patriot Limited

    ….they dishonour our agreements, Communities cry out.

    …good, credible leadership needed in Host Communities, Dangote Industries Limited suggest

    The unending conflict between Mineral exploiters and their host Communities has over the years become conspicuous in Nigeria despite a consensual-based Community Development Agreement (CDA) between both parties which is based on the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act 2007. Both the Miners and their host Communities keep reeling out the sides to their stories but the truth lies in the middle. In search for the truth behind these unending conflicts, TheNewsGuru Centre for Investigative Journalism (TNGCIJ)’s Emmanuel Bagudu, engaged in a thorough investigation which reveals that both parties must work on their shortcomings for a win-win situation to be achieved.

    From the Southern State of Ebonyi up to the north Central state of Kogi, aggrieved mining host communities keep reeling out their grievances with mineral exploiters whom they entered into CDAs with. The bone of contention is just one thing. Non-implementation. Mining host communities believe the “snail speed” implementation of the CDAs they entered with the miners is same as not implementing the CDA at all.

    First Patriot Ltd a salt mining Company in Agelegu village, in Ebonyi and Dangote Industries Limited, a Coal mining company in Awo-akpali village Kogi State, have been at loggerheads with their host communities despite a consensual-based CDA they entered with them. “….Every time these Communities enter into Community Development Agreement (CDA) with these Companies, they explore their ignorance on the provisions of the law and what should be in the community development agreement. So often time this results into Conflict where the Communities on their side feel being exploited and it will lead to crisis….” Dr. Okieze Kelechuckwu, an Ebonyi based environmental right activist and promoter of natural resource governance and environmental Justice, stated in an interview. Responding to Kelechukwu’s claim is Mr. Obi Alio, the Executive Director of First Patriot Ltd, who claims his company has honoured all CDAs it entered with communities. “… I have entered into a CDA with my host communities and I have followed that to the latter…. I signed this agreement with the chiefs but a lot of faceless persons keep causing trouble looking for things we did not agree upon….” Alio said.

    In Kogi, Dangote Industries Limited which mines coal in Awo-akpali exonerated itself from allegations of not reaching it side of the bargain in the CDA it entered with the community. After being accused by Awo-Akpali Village Kogi state of not rectifying or building new boreholes, not providing micro-revolving loan among others, the company said it has done enough for the community even more than what the community got from the government. “…. We have done enough for Awo-akpali….” Tony Chiejina, Spokesperson, Dangote Industries Limited, stated in an interview with this reporter.

    These are the blame games this reporter ran into during this investigation. But the truth lies in the middle.

     

    Revealed Causes of Conflicts between Host Communities and Mineral Exploiters

    What and who defines the ‘community’, that signed the CDA, the conditions under which the CDA is entered into, the enforceability of the agreement, the success of compliance monitoring, the institutional framework for the implementation of CDAs and the shortcomings of various leaderships in the Communities where these CDAs are entered with, defines the truth behind the conflicts.

    To start with Ebonyi, First Patriot Ltd told our reporter that it entered into its CDA with the Chief of the Agalegu community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. But the youths under the auspices of the “Enyim Edukwu Opeke Agalegu Federated Union” who form up to seventy percent (70%) of the population of the community, have been the ones challenging First Patriot Limited on the CDA. This according to the Executive director of the company, Mr. Alio is not right since the agreement was not entered into with them but their community chiefs. “… I don’t know all these people; all I know is that I signed an agreement with the chief of the community and I followed this to the latter…faceless people keep bringing funny complains, I don’t even know them….” Executive Director, First Patriot, Mr. Alio said.

    When our reporter visited the community, he noticed that the community has been enjoying electricity built by First Patriot Ltd.

    First Patriot Ltd also built a beautifully designed five classroom school which is yet to be occupied in the community and located in an open space visible enough for everyone to see. But unfortunately, the school was rejected by the people of Agalegu who refused to occupy it. Impeccable sources told our reporter that the school was rejected by the community because it was not a major need. Community members who spoke said the school was built for “Show Purposes” which implies that it was not among the Key things the community demanded in the CDA.

    School built by first patriot in Agalegu

    While the new school building keeps attracting the attention of visitors into the community and possibly creating goodwill for First Patriot Ltd, cracked houses destroyed as a result of the mining activities by First Patriot Ltd are also visible. People living in the cracked buildings attested to the fact that, they are yet to be compensated by First Patriot Ltd.

    Some cracked houses in Agalegu

    “…it is only electricity and that school building that they have done….We had an agreement that they are going to build a hospital for us but they have not built it. We also agreed they will build water facilities for us but they did not built it. Then, Scholarship to our children, they have done nothing in that regard. And in the CDA also, if they damage anybody’s house, they’re to fix it, but they are not fixing any house they damaged as you can see…. They also promised to grade our road but they’re not grading it….” Sylvia Princess, an official of the “Enyim Edukwu Opeke Agalegu Federated Union said in an interview

    Sylvia also added allegations of impunity and human right abuses where she said police and other security agents are sent to harm armless protesters that dare protest against First Patriot Ltd. “…. As a matter of fact, we have reported this case to National Assembly, they invited them for the first sitting, and they did not go….They use to beat our people working for them…. Any time we protest they use police and Army on us…. Obi Alio their Director said their envelope is louder than our voice” Sylvia laments.

    Making a case for First Patriot Ltd, Alio said he has spent Millions of Naira to fulfill his own side of the bargain. According to him he has given scholarships, built a school, provided electricity; relocate residents around his mining sites and maintain roads.

    “…. Our agreement is supposed to last for five years…this agreement took effect from 2018 and will last to 2023…. I am supposed to bring… Electricity which I have already done, I spent almost N52 million naira in trying to do that… Alio said.

    “there roads, I maintain them which is part of what I am supposed to do, and then again i have built twelve culverts in the community and everybody is happy about that, then school, I have built a school, I build six classrooms, it’s there on the ground for anybody to see, then I am also doing a health center presently which is also part of the agreement within the five years period and scholarship, I am giving every year, I am also paying annual rent to the community religiously, and Christmas bonuses to different segments of the community, I am also doing that religiously….. I have relocated and build new houses to the people leaving around my mining sites….” Alio added.

    One will expect that with these strides Alio claimed he achieved in Agalegu within the confines of his CDA with the community, there will be no issue of conflicts or mining related crisis. But this is not so. The complaint keeps ringing in. A surveyor working with First Patriot who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that all Alio said where lies. In fact, two CDAs where discovered by our reporter, one showing 2015 to 2020 and another 2018 to 2023. The two conflicting CDAs shows there have been conflicts and reviews of the CDA between the people of Agalegu and First Patriot Ltd, the conflict continues and may be resolved fully if both parties learned to meet with each other’s needs. Dr. Kelechukwu told our reporter that the politically exposed persons are the once being used when it comes to signing of CDA as well as manipulating it.

    “….Often times, they identify the key stakeholders, politically exposed persons, they work with them, settle them, grease their palms….and sometimes they get the traditional rulers too, grease their palms, and then go ahead to exploit. They also have the support of the security agencies, which provide security to them. So you see levels of impunity at the expense of the host Communities…” Kelechuckwu said.

    This is obvious from this investigation. The crisis persists because there is an obvious “divide and rule” strategy in the CDA pact. Up to seventy percent of the members of Agalegu mainly made up of youths where not carried along in the CDA pact with the community. Although First Patriot Ltd, tried it best, it must do more than mere lip service for its rift with the People of Agalegu to end.

    Infograph Showing Level Of Compliance To CDA By First Patriot Ltd in Agalegu

     

    In Kogi, the situation is a little bit mild but similar to that of Ebonyi in some areas, as Dangote Industries Limited has made an attempt to avert many forms of mining related crisis while extracting coal at Awo-akpali community in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. A CDA was entered into not just with Awo-akpali but with its surrounding communities as well. Nine communities including Awo-Ojoku, Onupi, Awo-Akpolokuta, Awo-Akpali, Awo-Ojuwa, Awo-Ate, Ajobe, Ofeanyaka, and Utala signed the CDA with Dangote Industries Limited.

    In Awo-akpali, where the coal is mined, residents are only aggrieved with that fact the implementation of the CDA is on a “snail speed”. Chairman of Awo-akpali, Honourable Markus Okigbo who spoke to this reporter expressed dissatisfaction on behalf of the community on the level of adherence to the CDA, despite physical evidence of effort by Dangote Industries Limited to meet up.

    On arrival to the community, this reporter noticed that a school and hospital are under construction by Dangote Industries Limited. An abandoned bridge covered with grasses and looking like a death trap was exposed by the community members. Some students testify they received scholarship of more than N40,000 annually from Dangote Industries Limited.

    Abandoned bridge turned death trap in Awoakpali Kogi

     

    But In Okigbo’s words, “….by the community development agreement we signed with the Dangote Coal Mining Company, there are so many things they are supposed to have done. As am speaking with you, they have not done up to fifty percent of it….” He said. Okigbo went further to reel out some of the failed terms of the CDA which includes failure to health care centre and school, failure to grant micro-revolving loans, skill acquisitions, skilled labour among others.

    “So the people are feeling defeated psychologically” He added.

    Uncompleted school building in AwoAkpali by Dangote Industries Limited

    Uncompleted Hospital Building by Dangote Industries Limited in AwoAKpali

    Reacting to these, Spokesman of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Tony Chiejina debunked the allegations saying that some few youths only want to take advantage of the investment situated in their community to cause trouble and extort. According to Mr. Chiejina, different groups gather themselves, appoint spokespersons and then start troubling the investors. He said that the Dangote Industries Ltd have given to the People of Awo-akpali more than they got from their local government authority.

    “…everybody is looking for one thing or the other….it’s horrible…is it a big crime for someone to invest in his country? Nothing stops the man (referring to Aliko Dangote) from packing his things and go, but he insists on investing in his country…. When you have an investment in a community, they want you to do everything for them…. The only thing remaining for them to ask is for you to give them air to breathe….” Mr Chiejina said painfully. “You will sink borehole for them and when it goes bad, they call you back to come and fix it for them…. This is not fare….” he added

    He said the frivolous demands of host communities is giving investors a very though time which on the long run brings set back to the country.

    “…. Communities keeps giving investors difficulties that is why we don’t have foreign direct investment in this country…. Nothing stops a company from the U.S from coming to Nigeria and invest on rice in a vast land…. But no, they won’t because all the local council chiefs will want royalties; you must do this, do that, sponsor election….That’s why these investors prefer to go and invest in another country where things are better and easier….” he said.

    Like in Agalegu in Ebonyi, youths of Awo-akpali remain the protagonist of the complaint. Although there is no record of community clashes or protests there, the Continuous demands of the youths remains a signal that must be attended to.

    Infograph Showing Level Of Compliance To CDA By Dangote Industries Ltd Awo-Akpali Kogi

     

    Why CDAs are important and Mandatory in Mineral Exploitation

    Both the United Nations Guiding Principle on Business and Human Right as well as the Nigeria’s Mineral and Mining Act 2007 abhors the trivialization of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) as well as the Breach of CDS.

    According to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPBHR) the duty of the state is to protect human rights.

    Section 1 A; which borders on Foundational Principles states that “States must protect against human rights abuse within their territory and/or jurisdiction by third parties, including business enterprises. This requires taking appropriate steps to prevent, investigate, punish and redress such through effective policies, legislation, regulations, and adjudication”

    This is a Clarion call for the Nigerian Government; both at the federal and state level who have sworn to protect lives and properties of all citizens. Mining Host Communities must be abreast by the provisions of this law to avoid being exploited.

    On the other hand Section 166 of Nigeria’s Mineral and Mining Act 2007 does provide that CDAs should contain “undertakings with respect to the social and economic contributions that the project will make to the sustainability of host community”. It also requires that CDAs address issues relevant to the host community, for example: the provision of educational scholarships; financial contributions in support of infrastructure development; assistance with the creation, development and support of small-scale and micro enterprises; agricultural product marketing and methods; and procedures for environmental and socio-economic management and local governance enhancement. The rationale for such agreements is to ensure that host communities benefit from the mining operations that take place within their communities and to minimise community conflicts, agitations and hostilities arising from perceived neglect and environmental degradation as exemplified in Ebonyi and Kogi.

    Nigerian Government from Local, State to Federal Level must learn to exonerate itself from the embarrassment of being found wanting in areas of being defiant to international legal obligations.

    CSO Admonishes Extractive Companies.

    For the Convener of Business and Human Right Round Table and Executive Director, Global Right, Ms Abiodun Baiyewu, both Extractive Companies and their host Communities are partners in progress. Each party must play its part. She believes simple Adherence to CDAs and a responsible CSR aided by the support and cooperation of the host Community will lip-frog Communities and their Extractive Companies into tremendous progress. In her words. “…it is enlightened self-interest for extractive companies to invest in the communities in which they have businesses. By mitigating the negative impacts of their businesses they ensure their own sustainability by engendering the goodwill of their host communities…..”

    More so with the emergency of the novel Covid-19 which adds to the vagaries of Poverty in mining Communities, it is important that Nigerian Government and all well-meaning individuals as well as the Extractive Companies to picture the pains the Covid-19 lockdown caused these Communities whom mining exploration has thrown into despair.

    This report was supported by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) with funding support from Ford Foundation.

  • PIB: Omo-Agege makes case for host communities

    PIB: Omo-Agege makes case for host communities

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has argued that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should be able to guarantee host communities 5% of the operational expenses of oil companies operating in the areas.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Omo-Agege made this argument on Thursday while also decrying the diversion of the 13 percent oil derivation funds by oil producing states.

    Specifically, he made a case for 100 percent utilisation of the funds for oil-bearing communities, as against the practice where states release only 50 percent of the money to development commissions in their states.

    The Delta Central lawmaker noted that since host communities bear the burden of environmental degradation from the oil industry, it is only fair that all funds be channeled into the development of the affected areas.

    He made the remarks when he hosted a delegation of Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON), led by the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff.

    Senator Omo-Agege who chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, expressed regrets that the utilisation of the 13 percent derivation funds has become a political tool in the hands of state governors in the region.

    He said the diversion of the money has contributed gravely to the underdevelopment of the region as the affected communities can hardly boast of having access to the basic necessities of life.

    His words: “I have been discussing this matter with Chief (Wellington) Okrika even before I became a senator. It is fair that the 13 percent derivation is meant to ameliorate the conditions of the people who are most impacted by oil exploration and exploitation. That is the only reason this fund was set aside as a consequence of your agitation which you led for so many years.

    “These funds are not meant for the state governments. The state governments are meant to be purveyors to host communities. Even in states that have development commissions, they only earmark 50 percent of the funds to the Commission to manage on behalf of the host communities. So what happens to the other 50 percent? We have always taken the position from the outset that 100 percent of the funds is meant for the development of host communities because it is not every area that suffers from oil exploration and degradation. But for some reasons, it has become a political tool”.

    He reiterated his call for gas flaring penalties in the Petroleum Industry Bill to be paid to the host communities and not to the Federation Account, stressing that the annual contribution of 2.5 percent actual operating expenditure by oil companies to the Host Community Development Trust Fund should be increased to, at least, 5 percent, adding that the penalties from gas flaring would be used to ameliorate the living conditions in Niger Delta communities, as they suffer from the environmental impact of oil exploration.

    “The reason we are insisting on at least 5 percent of operational expenses of oil companies for the host communities is because of the stability as their operational expenses will always remain stable. The moment you say it should be profit after tax, we know what they will do. They will claim all the exemptions that, at the end of the day, you end up with nothing. But they must have their expenses. So we are insisting that we should be given at least 5 percent of that.

    “We say this because in the cause of our interaction with the Economic Management Team of the Federal Government, some of us wanted answers to certain questions, most especially why they were making less revenue from oil. And one of the reasons they raised at the time was that the cost of oil per barrel was very high because of the security cost to the oil companies.

    “Under this PIB, if you give us what we are now asking for by way of enhanced contribution of 5 percent operational expenses to the Host Communities Trust Fund, what it means is that the communities will now assume responsibilities for the protection of the oil facilities in their host community. And if that is the case, the portion of the funds that the oil companies were spending as Security Cost should now be transferred to us,” he added.

    On the proposed boards and management of Host Communities Trust Fund in the PIB, he emphasised the need for those in the host communities to be carried along.

    He called on the people in the region to show more than passing interest in the development of the area and hold their leaders accountable.

    Other lawmakers who assisted the Deputy President of the Senate in welcoming the guests include Senator Biobarakuma Degi Eremienyo (Bayelsa East), member of the House of Representatives representing Warri Federal Constituency, Hon Thomas Ereyitomi.

    In his earlier remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Senator Ita Enang, called on the Deputy President of the Senate to intervene in the N98 billion gas flare fund, the controversy surrounding the Pipeline Surveillance Contract, 13 percent derivation payment to oil producing communities and the need to pass a bill for the establishment of a Derivation Commission.

    According to him, the Niger Delta people should be engaged in the surveillance contract to give them a sense of belonging.

    He also lamented the absence of development commissions in Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States.

    The same sentiment was shared by the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Bolowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Wellington Okrika, HOSCON National Chairman, Prince Mike Emu and a host of others who spoke at the event.

    Other members of the delegation include High Chief (Prof) Jasper Jumbo, HRH King Samuel Nnee, Chief Emmanuel Anele, Princess Christy Ejeh among others.

  • Trans Forcados pipeline under threat – Host communities

    Trans Forcados pipeline under threat – Host communities

    Host communities have raised an alarm over plans by a group known as Central Youth Body to vandalize the Trans Forcados pipeline (TFP).

    The group in a statement called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the group threatening to vandalize the TFP line that crisscrosses several communities in Delta State.

    According to the host communities, if the group is true to their words, the vandalism will disrupt operations on the TFP line, which delivers over 150,000 barrels of crude oil to the export terminal at Forcados in Delta State.

    TFP host communities alleged that the mastermind of the threat is one Burutu Otuaro, who they said is lobbying to hijack the surveillance contract of OMS in the Niger Delta.

    “Already they are backing a cabal to take over OMS surveillance by alleging that all the surveillance workers are non indigines of TFP host communities.

    “It is on record that OMS has employed 820.000 youths from various TFP host communities in all its Area of operation.

    “The owners of the asset ie- Heritage, NNPC/NPDC and the security agencies deployed in TFP axis attest to the peaceful and harmonious relationship between TFP host communities and OMS since it took over surveillance of the Trans Forcados pipeline.

    “Most TFP host communities representatives and surveillance workers have never met Capt. Hosea Okunbor but his good deeds speak for him.

    “820.000 youths engaged for surveillance feed their families and dependants.

    If anything happens to the Trans Forcados pipeline, Central Youth Body and its mastermind should be held responsible,” the statement reads.

  • Dangote Cement gives multi-million naira Scholarship to 115 in host communities

    In a major boost to its Corporate Social Responsibility profile, Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant has announced a multi-million Naira educational scholarship award for 115 students from its 15 host communities for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The Company said the scholarship has become an annual event meant to contribute to the educational development of the people and the area and position them in right place in the scheme of things in Ogun state and Nigeria in general.

    Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Ibese, Mr. Louis Raj, while speaking during the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries at Ibese Plant explained that the management decided to increase the number of beneficiaries to 115 from the previous 80 so that more children of the area could benefit.

    He also said the decision was meant to encourage the young ones to go to school as a sure way of building them mentally and morally so that they be good to themselves and the society.

    According to him, the scholarship award is just one of the many Social Services the Company has committed itself to and continue to provide other social services as a way of giving back to the society within which it operates.

    Mr. Raj stated that the scholarship award and other CSR projects were being undertaken as a way of saying thank to the people for maintenance and sustenance of peace in the area pointing out that it was the prevailing atmosphere of peace that make the company to operate smoothly.

    He expressed the management gratitude to the royal fathers and other community leaders whose efforts have accounted for the peace and tranquility, noting that the company would wish the spirit of peaceful coexistence continues.

    The General Manager, Government and Community Relations, Joseph Alabi while giving the breakdown of the scholarship said the award covered 115 students of Yewa origin studying various course across several higher institutions of learning in the country.

    Some of the schools where the beneficiaries are studying include Polytechnics, Universities, College of Educations, College of Technologies, and secondary schools scattered across Ogun state.

    Alabi also announced a list of candidates from the host communities who have been selected to attend Dangote Academy for training in various arts and vocations pointing out that the training will equip them with wherewithal to work and do their own business whenever they chose to.

    “In Dangote Group, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to our communities is our watchword and focus. Giving scholarships, construction of roads and drainages, provision of transformers and other projects to connect communities to national grid, among others are what will do every year. We award scholarships to communities in order to give the communities part of wealth being created.

    “I think everything is not about money but the main benefit is to provide them the opportunity to have better education and in the future, if they are good students, well-qualified, we will also offer them opportunities to work here at Ibese Cement Plant. This is part of CSR to ensure good relations, good partnership with our communities,” he added.

    Dangote Cement gives multi-million naira Scholarship to 115 in host communities

    In his remark, the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Gbadebo Oni said the host communities are happy with Dangote Cement with its handling of community issues, saying Alhaji Aliko Dangote deserves all the cooperation his people could muster for citing the cement plant in their land and then taking care of the people and the communities.

    He promised that his people would continue to give peace a chance always because to whom much is given, much is expected. The Monarch said the education scholarship is the best thing that has happened to the host communities because the issue of quality education cannot be quantified in monetary terms.

    The scholarship according to him, has offered a big relief to parents who have to struggle so much to ensure their children school fees are paid, saying they will forever be grateful to the management of Dangote cement.

    It would be recalled that the company had some years ago instituted scholarships for the indigenes of any of the host communities in any higher institution and secondary schools with the management saying it was poised to making life more meaningful to all members of the host communities with a promise to ensure that all projects meet the specific need of each community.

    Also, the Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko factory in Benue State had also given out N20 million worth of scholarships to indigent students from the firm’s host community, Mbayion, as part of its CSR in the last one year.

    The Group also emerged Nigeria’s best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company according to a survey by Governance Advancement Initiative for Nigeria (GAIN), an NGO.

    Dangote was the adjudged overall winner among 25 Nigerian and multinational companies operating in the country in 2016, scoring 6.3 per cent, followed by Nestle with 5.51 per cent and Etisalat with 5.45 per cent.

  • Chevron’s adoption of GMoU principle has reduced recurring conflicts amongst host communities – Sola Adebawo

    The Manager, Communications Policy, Government & Public Affairs of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Sola Adebawo has said the adoption of the Global Memorandum of Understanding, (GMoU) Guiding principles by the company has helped resolved crisis that has hitherto led to the breakdown of law and order in the host communities.

    The Chevron boss said this at the 17th edition of the annual NECCI PR Roundtable convened by Nkechi Ali-Balogun.

    The roundtable themed “The New Frontiers of Investor Relations: Access and Opportunities,” has in attendance the crème de la crème in both the public and private sector including Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (ably represented by the Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the President on Social Investment, Mr Ismaeel Ahmed), former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, and a host of others.

    Adebawo noted that the GMoU Guiding principles entails participatory partnership through stakeholder engagement, trust building through transparency/accountability, community ownership and sustainability assurance through capacity building as critical for improving investor relations.

    He explained further that community engagement thrives on the bases of conflict mitigation through grievance management; bases of capacity building for investment in local businesses, local content and peacebuilding.

    Adebawo shared that by adopting the GMoU principle, Chevron has carried out key Deepwater Social Investment projects across the nation covering all the 6 geo-political zones.

    In her opening remarks, the CEO of NECCI PR and founder of the roundtable Nkechi Ali-Balogun said “communication oils the value chain from production to consumption”. She stressed that “ Investor relations, being the next frontier of public relations, from a global perspective, is expectedly an area of responsibility for a platform like NECCI PR Roundtable”.

    Nkechi Ali-Balogun noted that Investor Relations had become a subject of key importance to Nigeria emerging from recession, identifying the investment potentials of Nigeria as one of the greatest in the world. According to her “We are poised to assist Government and other stakeholders through strategic communication to mitigate bureaucracies and bottlenecks that may impede the efforts of Government in providing transparency and ease in the way we do business”.

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo commended the organizers for hosting another roundtable. He said the Federal Government was committed to social investments, which was the reason N500bl was allocated for initiatives like the N-Power initiative, Home-Grown school feeding programme and the Conditional Cash Transfer Initiative for the poorest persons in the country.

    In his presentation, former Governor of Cross River State Mr Donald Duke who spoke on “The New Frontiers of Investor Relations-Access and Opportunities: The Tinapa Experience”, described the “Tinapa Business Resort” project as one his administration gave top priority to give Cross River State an economic entity.

    He decried the fact that due to policy inconsistency the project was not sustained by successive administrations. Duke said Investors are attracted to climes that have certainty in policy direction. Considering challenges the States were facing in the country and clamour for restructuring, he made a strong case for sustainable economic policies from State Governments.

    In her goodwill video message, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole congratulated the NECCI PR roundtable for hosting its 17th edition in Lagos. She reassured stakeholders that the government was committed to an enabling environment for businesses, citing the first 60-day action plan of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council and the current second phase of the 60-day action plan which is to elapse by December 1, 2017.

    She asserted that the government is progressively working to make it easier to do business in the country, partnering with the states. Oduwole enjoined public relations practitioners to help in shaping the Nigerian story to attract investments into the country.

    The CEO of Proshare Nigeria Mr Olufemi Awoyemi in his presentation on “The Challenges and Prospects of Foreign Direct Investments – A New Way”, opined that Nigeria had to learn to harness its diaspora community, to boost remittances like leading economies China and India. Awoyemi believed there was need for a robust fiscal and monetary policy thrust in Nigeria, that gives top consideration to the household income. He described India as the major economy that is open for business and a leader in FDIs, because of the remarkable reforms in its economic space.

    Awoyemi assessing the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Federal Government, said Nigeria will have to learn from Saudi Arabia who developed a solid and robust 2030 plan with specifics and costing for the policy, programs and projects earmarked.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the roundtable brought together key players in the public relations space, media, economic and policy space to explore Nigeria’s prospects for attracting strategic investments to grow the economy.