The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote has warned host communities of various projects being implemented by the board to desist from entitlement mentality and harassment of contractor on site as the board will not hesitate to stop work without apologies. Wabote gave the warning at the ground breaking ceremony of the multi billion Naira Oil and Gas Park at Onimankiong community in Odukpani Local government area of Cross River state.
According to him “There is always a misconception when an organisation comes into a community, they think we want to come and exploit their resources but in our case we are not here to exploit hydro carbon but we are here to build a facility that will give the people in the area capacity. The work would be put on hold without any apologies if the community youths make unnecessary demands on them because the agency has not come to exploit the resources of the community but to build a facility where technical workers in the oil and gas industry would be trained.
“It will create opportunities for youths in the community and the state as well as develop capacity for local support chain and boost the economy of the country because from here equipment, spare parts and more will be created that will be utilised in the oil and gas industry of the Nigeria.
He urged them to see the project as their own and make sure it succeeds adding that if they receive any form of threat, hindrance, and resistance on their part they will stop work without apologies.
“We also want to ensure that the locals who are in the community are carried along because we shall make sure that they have capacity to work in the park when it is completed in 2020.It behooves on you(communities) to see us as your own and as partners in progress,” he said. Over 2000 new jobs are projected will be created when this park kick starts at Odukpani and Cross River state at large. This is different from the people who will be involved in the construction of the site. 2,000 direct jobs and another 2,000 spinoffs would be created here when the plant becomes operational so what the community needs to do is to partner with us and ensure a speedy completion of the work because we do not abandon projects.
“It is a multi billion naira project will be cause unprecedented growth and development in the community and beyond, it represents an achievement of a major milestone to implement a flagship project of this magnitude .This is the first of its kind in the Niger Delta and we are most committed to making sure that it is completed as at when due.
Also speaking, Prof. Ivara Esu, the Deputy Governor of the state said that they were prepared to partner with the board to ensure a peaceful environment and speedy work completion. “We shall also be part of the monitoring team in ensuring that the work moves with pace and due process is followed to the later, it is our project and we shall treat is as such.” he said.
