OIL AND GAS LIAISON COMMITTEE FOR ORO NATION

The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Obong Eno Akpan has inaugurated a 35 – member Committee for the Oron Nation Gas and Oil Committee (ONOGAC). With the mbo Council Chairman , Mr. Victor Antai as chairman, while Mr. Sunday Ating is to serve as Secretary.
Performing the inaugural ceremony, Obong Akpan said the Committee will perform statutory functions which include acting as a liaison body between the companies and the host oil producing communities.
He stated that the tenure of the committee is for two years and charged members not to betray the confidence reposed on them by their communities, adding that they are expected to set up relevant sub – committees to actively involve their members and to consult widely before taking decisions.
The Commissioner lauded the traditional fathers from the five host communities for maintaining peace and order in their domain and being supportive to the present administration, urging them not to be misguided but to see the existence of peace in the entire state as paramount.
Obon Akpan informed them that the present administration is concerned about the infrastructural development in their areas, hence the setting up of memorandum of understanding to strengthen the relationship between investors and host communities.
He also advised them to be law abiding and to channel their grievances, if any, to the Ministry for attention instead of taking laws into their hands, warning that the state government will sanction anyone or group of persons trying to breach the existing peace in the state.
Speaking on behalf of other members of the committee, the Chairman of Mbo local government, Mr. Victor Antai who praised the people – friendly nature of Chief Godswill Akpabio, pointed out that he has done much in securing the state water – ways and for bringing the Oron nation under a unified umbrella through the setting up of the body.
He thanked Obong Eno Akpan for finding them fit to serve their communities and the vision in setting up the committee noting that it was essential for the interest and overall development of the Oro Nation.
Mr. Antai promised to carry everybody along in the discharge of his duties.
Present at the inauguration were the paramount rulers of the host communities, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment,
Mrs. Arit Okpo and Youth leaders.