Imo state government berates Agip over neglects of host communities

Imo State Government has berated Nigerian Agip Oil Company over what it describes as believable intentional neglect to its host communities in Imo State. The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere made this remark earlier today during the 19th Farmers Day celebration, which held at Green River Project Plant Propagation Centre, a facility of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Ogba-Egbema, Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Prince Madumere who said it is the first time Imo State would be attending such event described the initiative as commendable. He however chose to describe the invitation as rapprochement believing it will create a window for a more mutually rewarding future relationship between Imo State and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
The number two citizen of Imo State who in a no-hold-bared address said Imo State cannot vouch for Agip as a Corporate Socially Responsible Company in its dealings with her host communities in Imo State.
Speaking further, he described as surprising to learn that Agip in its effort to increase food sufficiency and security, teaching latest farming techniques, offering extension services and micro credit with human capacity building, has covered over 120 rural communities and empowered over 35, 000 farmers as revealed by the Chairman, Managing Director and GMD of the company in their separate addresses. He therefore queried, his words, “Where is the place of Imo State and her people in the whole statistics.”
He reminded the Oil Multinational Company of its poor management of the pollution crises occasioned by the explosion of two crude oil storage facilities of the firm, which he said polluted the water of about 13 communities in Egbema. He reminded the organization that it was the intervention of the State government that gave peace a chance.

Prince Madumere also frowned on the refusal of NAOC to agree in terms with their host communities on working relationship, regretting that where such exists, the company is alleged to have always kept them in breach. He therefore called on the company to review its modes of operation and relationship with Imo people.
Proffering the way forward, he requested that NAOC opens office in Imo State where the people can always reach them in issues to give them sense of belonging; he also called on the company to partner with the State in the area of human capacity building, development of infrastructure and other salient areas to remedy the wrong perception of the company by Imo people. He also warned against taking for granted the peaceful disposition of the people of the State.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Sunny Echono commended the effort of Nigerian Agip Oil Company for their effort. He used the forum to reel out policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria on Agriculture. He therefore called on the States and Farmers to take the advantage of the opportunities at their disposal with a view to achieving food security in the country.
The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Fulvio Rustico making his remark described the Green River Initiative of NAOC as a means to re-enforcement of a healthy relationship and cooperation between his country and Nigeria.
The Chairman of NAOC, Mr. Ciro Antonio Pagano with his Vice, Massimo Insulla in their respective remarks spoke on the impact of Green River Project in the four stakeholder States of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers. They also spoke about the potential of the Project becoming a pivot for the development of agricultural sector in Nigeria as it will serve as a major platform for knowledge sharing among farmers, academia, public extension services and agro allied industry.

Their Excellencies, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, MFR with his Bayelsa counterpart, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah in a strong knit warm handshake during 19th Farmers Day Celebration of Green Rivers Project, an Initiative of NAOC in Rivers State.