By correspondent in Lokoja.
The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCON), and Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Minerals and Natural Resources (HOSTCONMN) in Kogi, have appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate the establishment of modular refinery in the state.
The groups also called for the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) branch in Kogi State for job creation.
Our correspondent reports that kogi state was enlisted as an oil producing state in the country in 2021.
The Chairman of HOSTCON in the state, His Eminence, Bishop Gabriel Simeon Ojoka, made the call when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, HRM,Dr Ado Ibrahim at his Palace in Okene recently.
Ojoka, who doubles as the Chairman, HOSTCON, Northern State Area, commended former President Mohammed Buhari for declaring Kogi as Oil producing state.
According to the cleric,the essence of the visit to the royal father was on the discovery of Crude oil in Okegwe in Kogi Central Senatorial district, and the way forward for the unity and development of Kogi communities.
The chairman added that the meeting was to ensure serious deliberations on the participation of Ebira communities in the development of oil and gas in Kogi State.
Ojoka explained that the HOSTCON National Chairman, Dr. Mike Emuh, for over 17 years, had led the organization to various institutions, arms of government and traditional councils to advocate and educate the society on the provisions of constitution regarding the placement and benefits of the host communities.
He solicited the royal father’s support in the publicity and advocacy, through Orientation and courtesy calls on traditional council and organizing meetings at the North Central and Kogi Central Council to the elicit attention and involvement of communities and their active participation in moves to realizing the objective.
Ojoka expressed concern over low participation of communities in the state in the programmes of HOSTCON had brought losses as the recruitment of pipeline security surveillance to protect the on going Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano pipeline construction.
He assured that effective community participation in such programme would creat jobs and bring much benefit to the host communities.
According to him, HOSTCON in Kogi is allocated 4,500 slots to recruit cadets for the protection of Oil and Gas pipeline and facilities within the State for the past five years and yet with little or no interest in paying for the form, let alone the cost for recruitment.
“I therefore use this medium to solicit for communities’ participation in the recruitment that will soon take place in our state,” Ojoka urged.
He further requested the royal father’s recommendation of 15- man committee from the four of five organs of the administration such as: Traditional arm, Clergy, Women wing, Youth wing and the state executives.
He emphasised that the advocacy sensitization programmes of HOSTCON and HOSTCONMN remained a great sacrificial input to conquer community conflict and ensure that marginalization of the Host communities at various levels of government is prohibited.
He highlighted of the group’s expectations to include: “The traditional council participation in TROMPCON and the dividends accrue to it, and the quick establishment of Modular refinery in Kogi State.
“Creation of Mechanized Agriculture to alleviate the suffering of our communities, the re-establishment of Ajaokuta Steel company for employment and job creation, and Pipeline, Oil and Gas facilities security surveillance recruitment for proper protection.
“The Host Communities of Nigeria producing Oil and Gas Kogi State chapter (HOSTCON) should be gazetted into the State yearly budgetary allocation
“The State Government should consider using Hostcon as the quickest, closest and cheapest means for grassroots community mobilization for development.
“The various Communities within the State should urgently participate through the registration of their communities for them to fully benefit from the dividends of Oil and Gas in the State.”
This, he said would help encourage speedy formation of the Communities, LGA and the State executives for their onward participation in the Host Communities development programs.
The HOSTCON chairman commended Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his dogged input in ensuring that Kogi State was declared as Oil and Gas producing and for embracing HOSTCON programmes’ activities in the State
He also thanked all royal fathers, religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders for working tirelessly to ensure HOSTCON finds a favourable position with government, and the organisation’s numerous achievement so far.
Responding,the Ohinoyi commended the leadership of HOSTCON and HOSTCONMN at the State and National level ,for all their efforts and the success they achieved so far.
The paramount ruler said that the agitation for better welfare for the Host communities producing minerals and natural resources was a long awaited achievement for him.
The royal father noted that for 45 years, he had been reviewing a book he wrote on Minerals Prospecting which could serve as a guide to securing better deals for Nigerian communities producing oil and gas.
He emphasised the need for host communities to fully participate in the development to ensure its success.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
