- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has called for peace within Niger Delta communities while reinstating commitment towards restoring trust and economic prosperity at the region.
NNPCL Chairman, Melee Kyari, made this call during a dialogue session with the Niger Delta communities held at the Igurubia Square Ultra-Modern Town Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Thursday.
The company, in partnership with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Gift Johnbull, engaged with the communities as part of the side event of the Climate of Parties (COP) 29 Conference taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, next month.
As contained in a statement issued by Olufemi Soneye, the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Kyari, represented by the Head, Business Services of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Sani Kabo, noted that the engagement is aimed at strengthening unity and promote development in the region through the Third Phase Amnesty Program.
Kyari further announced the allocation of 3% of NNPC Ltd’s operational expenditures (OPEX) to community development as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The statement read in part; “The NNPC Ltd. has reiterated its commitment to work with host communities in the Niger Delta region towards lasting peace and economic prosperity.
“Group CEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, disclosed this during a dialogue session with the Niger Delta communities held in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Hon. Gift Johnbull, at the Igurubia Square Ultra-Modern Town Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Thursday.
“The session is also part of the citizen assembly engagements, which is a side event of the forthcoming Climate of Parties (COP) 29 Conference taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan in November, this year.
“Kyari, who was represented at the occasion by the Head, Business Services of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Sani Kabo, said the engagement marked an important step in the journey to strengthen unity and promote development in the region through the Third Phase Amnesty Program.
“According to the GCEO, the NNPC Ltd. is committed to sustained dialogue with traditional leaders, ex-agitators, and youth leaders towards addressing local concerns and restoring trust across the nine Niger Delta states.
“Kyari said the coming of Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, has emplaced allocation of 3% of NNPC Ltd’s operational expenditures (OPEX) to community development, a development that will ensure projects reflect the communities’ priorities whilst investing in skills acquisition, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihood initiatives for the benefit of the various communities.
“Our mission is clear. We are committed to fostering lasting peace, creating economic opportunities, and transforming the Niger Delta into a model of unity and progress. NNPC Ltd. stands with the Niger Delta as it builds a prosperous future that is driven by mutual respect and collaboration,”