Okowa tasks oil firms on employment

WORRIED by high unemployment rate among host communities of oil companies, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi  Okowa has urged oil companies to create employment for the people.

Okowa who spoke in Asaba when the management team of AGIP Oil Company Limited visited him said that such an initiative will go a long way in fostering a sustainable cooperation and conducive environment.

The governor told the team which was led by its General Manager, Palio Carnivale that oil companies could build peaceful coexistence as well as conducive working environment with host communities by creating employment opportunities for the youths.

He said: “I have to reiterate that there is a need for oil companies to ensure that they engage the youths in the immediate communities with employment first before they look elsewhere because the more people you actually employ from the immediate communities the more they acknowledge you as friends and the more they relate with you”.

While commending the multinational oil company for its past engagement of people in communities in the state, Okowa said that a lot more could be done to better the lives of Deltans in host communities.

The governor called on the people especially those in oil producing areas of the state to peacefully coexist with oil companies in order to achieve sustainable development and gave assurance of his administration’s continuous support to the oil company.

He assured: “We will continue to encourage all investment in the oil sector and therefore we will continue to partner with you to ensure that you will be able to get the best for your company, for the nation and the state.”

Carnivale explained that they had come for the purpose of renewing the collaboration between the company and the state government as well as solicit the continuous support of the state government.